Topic of the Thesis: Gender gap in STEM disciplines.

Abstract: Many of the barriers that limited women's choice in the vocational domain have now disappeared. However, the difference between girls and boys in science-­‐oriented versus art-­‐oriented fields persists: girls continue to prefer art-­‐oriented professions and consequently less payed jobs, while boys are employed in high-­‐pay occupations. While previous studies focused on the reason underlying this gap, such as families' influence, self-­‐conceptions of efficacy, academic performance and gender stereotypes, only few tried to verify the effectiveness of possible solutions to the problem. The aim of the proposed research is, thus, to implement a project in some Italian schools with the purpose of reducing (implicit) gender stereotypes and stimulating girls' interest in science. Students involved in the project would have the opportunity to make individual interviews with counselors on their personal aptitudes and aspirations, to meet universities and being informed about the courses offered, and finally to meet professionals from different sectors to know about possible future careers. The participants would be divided into two groups, where one would be exposed to typical gender roles when meeting professionals, while the other (the treated group) would be exposed to atypical gender roles. The aim of the research is, thus, to verify whether seeing women occupied in traditionally masculine roles have a positive or negative effect on girls' aspirations. Two strategies would be used to test the validity of the project: a multiple linear regression and a difference-­‐in-­‐difference strategy. Possible problems related with these methods would be taken into account and solved, such as omitted variable bias, treatment diffusion, schools' heterogeneity and so on.

Research Interests: Gender issues, education, migration and economic development.

Graduated from: Università commerciale L. Bocconi; Università commerciale L. Bocconi.

Degrees obtained: BA in Economics and Social Sciences MA in Economics and Social Sciences.

E-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.