From Math to Gender Equity: Lisa Ho's Path
July 2023
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Introduction
Dive into Lisa Ho's journey from high school math enthusiast to MIT PhD candidate exploring gender and labor in India! Discover how a robotics team taught her perseverance and how an MIT class opened her eyes to economics' power to tackle societal issues. From examining gender differences in political careers to running a groundbreaking study in West Bengal, Ho's story is a testament to following one's passion and making a real-world impact. Courtesy of MIT, get ready to be inspired by a tale of ambition, research, and the quest for equality!
READ FULL ARTICLEWhy It Matters
Discover how this topic shapes your world and future
Shattering Glass Ceilings & Rewriting the Rules
Understanding changing attitudes about jobs and gender in India isn't just about recognizing shifts in employment patterns; it's about acknowledging the profound impact these changes can have on global gender equality and economic development. This topic matters because it sheds light on the barriers women face in the workforce and explores innovative strategies to overcome them, such as altering job structures or societal attitudes towards gender roles. For you, this might resonate on a personal level—whether it's considering future career paths or understanding the broader societal norms that shape our world. It's a chance to see how economic principles can address real-world issues, sparking discussions on fairness, opportunity, and the kind of world we want to live in.
Speak like a Scholar

Gendered divisions of labor
The allocation of different tasks between men and women, often based on societal norms rather than ability or preference.

Labor-force participation
The percentage of the population that is either employed or actively looking for employment.

Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
A study design that randomly assigns participants into an experimental group or a control group to measure the effect of an intervention.

Causal effect
The change in an outcome directly attributable to a change in a factor or intervention.

Workplace flexibility
The ability of workers to make choices influencing when, where, and how much they work.

Economic principles
Basic concepts and theories that underpin the study of economics, guiding the analysis of economic problems and the formulation of policies.
Independent Research Ideas

Exploring the impact of remote work on gender equality in different cultures
Investigate how the shift to remote work has affected gender roles and labor-force participation across various cultural contexts.

The role of education in changing gender norms
Examine how educational programs and curricula can influence societal attitudes towards gender roles and employment.

Innovative job design to promote gender inclusivity
Design a study to test different job structures that could make employment more accessible and appealing to women, considering factors like flexibility and work-life balance.

Economic analysis of gender-based wage gaps in emerging economies
Utilize economic principles to analyze the root causes of wage gaps between men and women in developing countries and propose policy solutions.

The effect of public policy on women's employment in conservative societies
Research how various public policies, such as maternity leave and childcare support, impact women's participation in the labor force in traditionally conservative societies.
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