Claudia Goldin is this year’s laureate in the economic sciences. Illustration: Niklas Elmehed © Nobel Prize Outreach

Can you summarize Claudia Goldin’s research and how it has been important in the field?

”I would like to emphasize four main areas. Historically, significant changes have occurred regarding gender differences in the labour market, and Goldin has contributed to increasing our understanding of the underlying factors, including how structural changes in the labour market have played a role,” states Peter Skogman Thoursie, Professor of Economics at Stockholm University.

”She has also highlighted the role of birth control pills in allowing women to better plan their careers. Even in recent decades, significant changes have occurred, especially in Sweden, where women are increasingly occupying leadership positions. However, income disparities between genders still arise, especially in connection with the birth of the first child,” he continues.

”Lastly, she has conducted research on how workplace organization can influence gender differences. She has pointed out a correlation in the USA between increased flexibility regarding the structure of the workday, working hours, short-term leaves, and a reduced gender wage gap.”

She is the third woman to receive the prize in 55 years – why are there so few?

”Even though women generally surpass men in educational levels, men are overrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Economics is a social science discipline closely related to these subjects.”

You use Goldin’s work in your teaching, in what way?

”My teaching aims to understand the gender differences we observe in the labour market. Goldin’s contributions are highly relevant to include in this analysis.”

Find out more about STEM and Peter Skogman Thoursie’s course further down.

More about Claudia Goldin and the prize

On Monday 9 October Claudia Goldin was awarded the prize in economic sciences 2023 with the motivation ”for having advanced our understanding of women's labour market outcomes.” Goldin was born in 1946 in New York. She earned her doctorate in economics in 1972 at the University of Chicago, and is currently a professor at Harvard University.

The Sveriges Riksbank prize in economic sciences in memory of Alfred Nobel has been awarded 55 times between 1969 and 2023. It is the third time the prize has been awarded to a woman. The announcement is followed by several events, such as a panel discussion at the Riksbank and an public lecture at Stockholm University.

Despite the increase in women obtaining leadership positions, income disparities still arise, which is particularly noticeable during parenthood, says Claudia Goldin in her research. Illustration: © Johan Jarnestad/The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Claudia Goldin investigates why women's participation in the labour market has not followed a straightforward trajectory historically, showing a U-shaped curve instead. Illustration: © Johan Jarnestad/The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Text by: Anneli Eriksson