- BIMSA 数字经济实验室讨论班

Understanding the STEM Gender Gap: The Role of Interests and Preferences in Educational Choice

组织者

彼尔·约翰逊 , 高瑞泽 , 韩立岩 , 李振 , 刘瑾 , 龙飞 , 史冬波 , 汤珂 , 严兴 , 张琦

演讲者

彼尔·约翰逊

时间

2026年05月15日 15:00 至 16:00

地点

A3-2-303

线上

Zoom 435 529 7909 (BIMSA)

摘要

This paper studies how subjective expectations shape educational choices and contribute to the STEM gender gap. Using detailed data on students’ expected earnings, non-pecuniary amenities, and ranked field preferences, we estimate a utility-based model that allows us to quantify students’ willingness to pay (WTP) for different educational amenities. We show that expected enjoyment of coursework and future work, interpreted as proxies for underlying interests in the content of study and work, is a key determinant of educational choice. Gender differences in these interests account for a substantial share of the observed STEM gender gap, even after controlling for expected earnings and other outcomes. The findings highlight the central role of non-pecuniary considerations and interests in educational choice and gender differences in sorting into STEM fields.