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EXPERT Q&A
In reaction to evolving gender expectations and post-war social movements, numerous colleges and universities in the U.S. began welcoming women during the 1950s and ’60s. The coeducational initiative, which originated in the early 19th century, ignited advancements in education, labor, and civil rights.
In a recent study titled “Undergraduate Gender Diversity and the Direction of Scientific Research,” Francesca Truffa from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and Ashley Wong from Barnard College examine how the shift to coeducational campuses influenced a surge in gender-focused research.
Truffa, an assistant professor of business economics and public policy, alongside Wong, evaluated thousands of articles published by scholars from 76 prominent U.S. universities that adopted coeducational admissions. By scrutinizing the transition from all-male institutions to coeducational settings, they discovered that publications concerning gender-related research rose by 44% between 1960 and 1990.
Truffa shares insights about her research and its implications for higher education and the workplace.
Were there specific factors that inspired you to investigate coeducation and its influence on scientific research?
Our interest stemmed from a broader, yet largely unexplored, inquiry in the academic literature: “What drives innovation?” Most research has concentrated on conventional explanations, such as financial or institutional motivators.
Previous studies have predominantly focused on the demographic diversity of the researcher or innovator. There has been considerably less emphasis on whether the environment itself, particularly the diversity among peers, can shape the ideas pursued.
Coeducation offered a distinctive historical context for analysis: It represented a substantial shift in the academic landscape that altered daily interactions among students and faculty. This enabled us to isolate how exposure to a more heterogeneous academic environment can influence research priorities and, ultimately, the trajectory of scientific advancement.
What factors contributed to the remarkable rise in gender-related research that you uncovered?
Initially, coeducation brought a greater number of women and researchers passionate about gender topics into the academic sphere. Subsequently, and perhaps even more unexpectedly, coeducation also impacted the research interests of existing academics. A notable increase stemmed from male scientists who redirected their attention towards gender-related subjects.
This highlights the significance of interactions with a varied student body and peer community. Our findings indicate that diversity not only influences who is represented in the research and innovation space, but also dictates what is explored—through new perspectives, dialogues, and experiences shaping academic inquiries and agendas.
Your research investigates the effects of heightened gender diversity. Are there additional forms of diversity that similarly foster innovation?
While our study centers on gender diversity, recent research suggests that other aspects of diversity, such as racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, can significantly influence research and innovation. Findings illustrate that individuals from underrepresented groups are more inclined to pursue research topics or create products pertinent to populations similar to them in terms of race or socioeconomic status.
I am collaborating on a new endeavor with Ashley Wong and Thomas Helgerman from the University of Minnesota, examining how racial diversity in U.S. medical schools impacts both the direction of medical research and health outcomes. Our premise is that increased representation can shift research focus towards underserved groups, potentially enhancing equity in healthcare.
Therefore, while the literature is still evolving, there is strong evidence to support that diverse lived experiences more broadly help broaden the scope of inquiries we pursue and the communities we serve—not just in economics but across various fields.
Do you perceive similar potential for diversity to affect innovation beyond academia? If so, what guidance would you offer to leaders?
We don’t believe that the mechanisms we’ve identified are restricted to academic settings. Our findings underscore the importance of social interactions among individuals from various backgrounds. These exchanges can yield new ideas, generate fresh viewpoints, and broaden the spectrum of inquiries.
Although further research is necessary, we anticipate similar trends emerging in other environments, such as workplaces, startups, and research and development teams. My recommendation would be to look beyond the immediate benefits of representation and consider the indirect effects of exposure to a more inclusive environment: innovation that meets a wider array of needs.
Creating a workplace culture that appreciates and nurtures diverse collaboration isn’t merely about equity—it can also serve as a potent catalyst for creativity and long-term success.
What questions or areas do you aspire to investigate in your future work? Has this study informed your interests or approach?
This study is part of a larger research initiative focused on how diversity contributes to innovation. A major takeaway for me has been the way access and representation can steer the course of knowledge production—not solely who engages in research, but what questions are posed and what challenges are prioritized.
I am pursuing two subsequent projects. First, in collaboration with Ashley Wong and Thomas Helgerman, I am exploring the effects of civil rights policies on scientific research—analyzing how expanded access for underrepresented groups has influenced what scientific fields are nurtured and advanced.
Secondly, Ashley Wong and I are conducting a follow-up investigation into the widespread influence of women’s entry into higher education. Earlier studies indicated that male and female researchers historically concentrated on different research topics, even within the same fields. For instance, in economics, women are more prone to explore health and education topics, while men are more likely to delve into macroeconomics and finance.
We aim to determine if coeducation may have shaped the development of academic fields and heightened focus on topics traditionally explored by female researchers—not only gender-related research. We are also eager to understand how this transformation has influenced the recognition and visibility of research produced by women.
Written by JT Godfrey, Ross School of Business
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