PROJECT MANAGER: Aline Bütikofer

PROJECT DURATION: 2026-2028

Economics shapes some of the most important decisions in society, from how we design welfare systems and labor markets to how we respond to climate change. Yet the economists who produce this research remain a surprisingly homogeneous group. Women and minorities are significantly underrepresented in the field, particularly in senior academic positions. This is not just an equity problem. When the same types of people ask the same types of questions, important perspectives get left out. The INSPIRE project sets out to change this. INSPIRE targets three of the most stubborn barriers that hold underrepresented researchers back: structural bias in how research is recognized and rewarded, exclusion from the informal professional networks that are so crucial for career advancement, and the systematic undervaluation of innovative contributions from researchers who do not fit the traditional mold.

To tackle these barriers, INSPIRE introduces three concrete measures. Structured writing and mentoring programs will help women and minority scholars publish their research more effectively. Networking conferences and travel grants will open doors to leading international economists and help early-career researchers build collaborations that can define their careers. Finally, the project will redesign the seminar series and strengthen media outreach, so that diverse voices are heard not just in academia, but in policy debates and public discussion as well. All measures will be carefully evaluated to ensure they deliver real and lasting change. The goal is not just to make economics fairer; it is to broaden it. Research that reflects the full spectrum of society will ultimately produce wiser and more effective policies for all of us.