Category: Research

Egalitarian Penalty or Reward? A Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Gender Attitudes and Adulthood Income

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Social Science Research (2024) Authors: Yi-Lin Chiang and Ran Liu Abstract: Studies often attribute the persistent gender pay gap to different labor force experiences between men and women. Yet, attitudes formed in earlier life stages also critically shape individual outcomes. Using longitudinal data from Taiwan, this study examines whether and how adolescents’ gender attitudes are related to …

The Gendered Patterns and Impacts of Teacher-Student Interactions: Highlighting Cross-Subject Dimensional Comparison

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British Journal of Sociology of Education (2025) Author: Ran Liu Abstract: Teacher-student interactions (TSIs) are crucial in shaping student learning attitudes and outcomes. Current literature primarily focuses on within-subject TSI effects, neglecting potential cross-subject TSI effects and related gender disparities. Using data from Chinese adolescents and extending the dimensional comparison theory, this study examines the within- and …

Synthesizing Intra-Individual and Social Comparisons: How Integrated Comparative Advantage Shapes Math Attitudes and Gender Stereotypes

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International Journal of STEM Education (2025) Author: Ran Liu Abstract: Despite gender similarity in math performance, gender disparities persist in math-related attitudes and STEM aspirations among adolescents globally. To disentangle this puzzle, some studies adopt the dimensional comparison theory to investigate the role of intra-individual comparative advantage across academic subjects, while others focus on the role …

Exclusionary Behaviors Reinforce Historical Biases and Contribute to Loss of Talent in the Earth Sciences

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Earth’s Future (2023) Authors: Erika Marin-Spiotta, Emily Diaz-Vallego, Rebecca Barnes, Allison Mattheis, Blair Schneider, Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Meredith Hastings, Billy Williams, Vicki Magley Abstract: Geosciences remain one of the least diverse fields. Efforts to diversify the discipline need to address the role of hostile and exclusionary work and learning environments. A workplace climate survey distributed to …

Historically Excluded Groups in Ecology are Undervalued and Poorly Treated

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Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment (2023) Authors: Richard Primack, Tara Miller, Carina Terry, Erika Marín-Spiotta, Pamela Templer, Asmeret Berhe, Emily Diaz Vallejo, Meredith Hastings, Vicki Magley, Allison Mattheis, Blair Schneider, Rebecca Barnes Abstract: Hostile workplaces undermine efforts to make the ecological sciences more inclusive and welcoming. Survey responses by members of the Ecological Society of America …

Racial Disparities in the Auto Loan Market

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Review of Financial Studies (2023) Authors: Alexander Butler, Erik Mayer, and James Weston Abstract: We document racial disparities in auto lending. Combining credit bureau records with borrower characteristics, we find that Black and Hispanic applicants’ approval rates are 1.5 percentage points lower, even after controlling for creditworthiness. In aggregate, this effect crowds out 80,000 minority loans each …

Gender Bias in Promotions: Evidence from Financial Institutions

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Review of Financial Studies (2024) Authors: Ruidi Huang, Erik Mayer, and Darius Miller Abstract: We test for gender bias in promotions at financial institutions using two central predictions of Becker’s (1957, 1993) model: firms with bias will (1) raise the promotion bar for marginally promoted female workers, and (2) incur costs from forgoing efficient employment practices. We find support for both of …

The Impact of Minority Representation at Mortgage Lenders

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Journal of Finance (2023) Authors: W. Scott Frame, Ruidi Huang, Erica Jiang, Yeonjoon Lee, Will Liu, Erik Mayer, and Adi Sunderam Abstract: We study links between the labor market for loan officers and access to mortgage credit. Using novel data matching the (near) universe of mortgage applications to loan officers, we find that minorities are underrepresented among loan …

Scaling Gender and Sexual Diversity Policies in K-12 Schools

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Educational Policy (2023) Authors: Mollie T. McQuillan  Abstract:  As policy debates concerning LGBTQ+ students and staff continue across the American education system, there is not a clear description of the prevalence of local policy protections, even in states with legislative mandates, nor a strong understanding of how to expand reform initiatives. After conducting a document analysis …

LGBTQ+-Inclusive Professional Development in Elementary Schools: Does It Matter to Schoolwide Discipline?

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Journal of School Leadership (2023) Authors: Mollie T. McQuillan, Erin K. Gill, and Xue Gong Abstract: PK-12 leaders use gender- and sexuality-inclusivity professional development (IPD) as a tool to improve the school climate for LGBTQ+ students, but IPD programs vary widely in their scope, breadth, duration, instructional approach, and content. In this paper, we present the …