{
  "id": 7391743,
  "title": "Australia’s female economists have been making history for nearly 150 years. It’s time we knew their stories",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/australias-female-economists-have-been-making-history-for-nearly-150",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-14T20:11:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/australias-female-economists-have-been-making-history-for-nearly-150-years-its-time-we-knew-their-stories-289297"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For nearly 150 years, female economists in Australia have been making history, yet their stories have remained largely unknown. A new book, Power in Numbers: Australian Women in Economics, authored by Melissa Bray and Catie Bradbear, sheds light on 16 women who played a crucial role in shaping Australian economics. The book chronicles the journeys of remarkable women like Catherine Helen Spence, who penned the first economics textbook in Australian schools in 1880, and Marion Phillips, who became the first Australian woman elected to Britain's House of Commons in 1929.\n\nDespite these achievements, women remain underrepresented in the field of economics. Today, they make up only around one-third of all economists in Australia and constitute just 17% of economics professors. This gender disparity matters because the field's perception, understanding of issues, and proposed solutions can be influenced by the gender of the economists involved. The book emphasizes that diversity in economics is essential to gain a more comprehensive understanding of problems, wants, needs, and potential solutions.\n\nHowever, the pipeline of female economists is not encouraging. In the early 1990s, boys outnumbered girls in Year 12 economics by a ratio of two to one. Part of the challenge stems from economics' image problem, with studies showing that female students are less interested in the subject, less certain of their competence, and unclear about potential career paths. Role models, such as those featured in the book, are essential in encouraging young women to pursue careers in economics. The book's focus on the achievements of these women helps younger women envision themselves in the field.\n\nThe women featured in Power in Numbers include policy reformers, economists, and business leaders. Their stories showcase the diverse backgrounds and experiences that led them to excel in their fields. From Meredith Edwards, who played a pivotal role in shaping Australia's child support, Austudy, and HECS reforms, to Persia Campbell, who pioneered consumer economics in the US and advised President John F. Kennedy, these women have made significant contributions to their respective fields.\n\nWhile the book does not dwell on the challenges these women faced, it acknowledges that their achievements are all the more impressive given the obstacles they overcame. By highlighting their accomplishments, Power in Numbers encourages women to pursue careers in economics and demonstrates that success in the field is attainable for those willing to take risks and tackle difficult problems. The book's celebration of these women's careers serves as a powerful reminder that there is no single path to success in economics, and that diversity and inclusion are vital for the field's continued growth and progress.",
  "summary": "In a stubbornly male dominated field, how brilliant did a woman have to be to succeed?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}