Economics research seminar: Sarah Smith, University of Bristol

Sarah Smith, University of Bristol

Topic

Going back to the high schools”: Challenging stereotypes about economics   

abstract

Students hold stereotyped beliefs about subjects that may distort subject choices. For example, economics is associated with money, but not with inequality or well-being, and this may narrow its appeal. We report findings from a UK-wide high school outreach program in which undergraduate champions delivered economics taster sessions to 5,000+ non-economics students in non-selective high schools (an under-represented group at undergraduate level). The sessions increase students’ reported likelihood of studying economics by 15 – 20 per cent, slightly greater for the most disadvantaged students. The sessions broaden students’ understanding of what economics is about and change their beliefs about what it would be like to study economics. We estimate a structural model and show that, for students choosing what to study in their final years of high school, what matters most is a (change in) belief that they will do well, while for students choosing what to study at university, it is a (change in) belief that they will enjoy economics. Although the sessions provide earnings and career information – and change students’ beliefs about whether economics leads to a well-paid and enjoyable job – this is a less important channel, with the exception of non-white students. A key take-away is that beliefs about non-pecuniary aspects of studying different subjects are key drivers of subject choice, making it vital to challenge distortionary subject stereotypes.