Seminario Centro de Economía Aplicada (CEA) - Instituto Milenio para la Investigación de Mercado y Políticas Públicas (MIPP)

Invitada: Presenta: Valentina Contreras (LSE)

Tema: "Cracking the Code: Using Affirmative Action to Narrow the Gender Gap in STEM"

Abstract

Despite making up half the world’s population, women constitute only 35 percent of STEM graduates worldwide. This paper examines how gender-focused affirmative action policies can address this persistent imbalance. The study evaluates two distinct affirmative action efforts by leading Chilean universities aimed at increasing female participation in engineering. Using a difference-in-differences approach, the study assesses the effectiveness of these policies and employs a peer effects model to explore their broader impacts on academic performance and dropout rates. Results reveal that both policies successfully raised women’s enrollment and attendance in engineering programs. Increased gender diversity within these programs led to lower first-year dropout rates among female students and enhanced performance in collaborative projects for both male and female students, without significantly affecting other first-year outcomes. This research highlights the potential of affirmative action to foster a more gender-inclusive STEM environment and promote equity in higher education.