Australia's Female Economists Break Down Barriers

Australia's female economists have made significant strides in recent years, breaking down barriers and making their mark on the field. In 2023, Danielle Wood became the first woman to chair the Productivity Commission, followed by Michele Bullock as the first female governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), and Jenny Wilkinson as the first woman to lead the Australian Treasury.

However, these achievements are not new; they represent a culmination of years of hard work and dedication from women who paved the way. For instance, Catherine Helen Spence published The Laws We Live Under in 1880, which was used as an economics textbook in Australian schools for 20 years.

A new book, Power in Numbers: Australian Women in Economics, tells the stories of 16 women who helped shape Australian economics. Despite their significant contributions, many of these women faced challenges and obstacles in their careers. For example, Marion Phillips became the first Australian woman elected to a national parliament in 1929.

The book highlights the importance of diversity in economics, with Professor Betsey Stevenson writing that 'diversity matters because it gives us better perception, a better understanding of problems, of wants and needs, and of potential solutions.' However, the pipeline for women in economics remains a concern, with only one-third of economists in Australia being female.

The book profiles several women who broke into male-dominated fields, including Persia Campbell, who pioneered consumer economics in the US. Their stories serve as inspiration to younger generations of women and highlight the various paths available to them in economics.