Committee on Professional Climate

 
In April 2018, the AEA Executive Committee voted to establish a new standing Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Professional Conduct (CEDPC); this committee was renamed as the Committee on Professional Climate (CPC) in 2025. The goal of CPC is to improve the professional climate  in the economics profession, particularly for women and minorities, and to consider additional ideas to improve the professional climate for these groups. CPC achieves this primarily by  implementing and overseeing the initiatives recommended by the report of an earlier Ad Hoc Committee. Learn more about CPC.

CPC Chair and Board

• Renee Bowen, Chair
• Kasey Buckles
• Christopher “Kitt” Carpenter
• Kerwin Charles
• Pinka Chatterji
• Christine Exley
• Donna Ginther
• Ethan Lewis
• Michael Mueller-Smith

Announcement

• The AEA and Committee on Professional Climate (CPC) have launched a new four-part Best Practices for Economists video series offering practical guidance for fostering professional, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Watch the first installment, Leading Departments and Workplaces, and stay tuned for three additional videos in the coming months.

Event at ASSA 2026

• The Future of Research and Higher Education in a Shifting Policy Landscape
  Panel Session
  Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026   10:15 AM - 12:15 PM (EST)
  Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
  Hosted By: American Economic Association, Committee on the Status of Women in the Economics Profession & Committee on Professional Climate

• Announcement of Co-Impact Partnership with CPC and CSWEP
• Information on Co-Impact Grant Awarded to CPC and CSWEP

Reports

• 2024 Annual Report
• 2023 Professional Climate Survey Report
• 2022 Report of the Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Professional Conduct
• 2019 AEA Professional Climate Survey: Final Report
• 2018 Ad Hoc Committee on the Professional Climate in Economics: Interim Report

AEA Links 

• AEA Code of Professional Conduct (Adopted April 20, 2018)
• AEA Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation
  • How to file a formal complaint
  • Procedures once a complaint is made
• AEA Ombuds Team
• AEA Professional Climate Survey: Final Report (September 15, 2019)
• A Message from the AEA Leadership on the Professional Climate in Economics (March 18, 2019)

Resources

• Best Practices for Economists - Building a More Diverse, Inclusive, and Productive Profession

Past Events

• Best and Worst Practices in Econ Departments: A Working Session for Chairs (January 4, 2025) | Program and Materials
• Working to Change the Climate in Economics (January 5, 2024) | View Recording

Awards

• AEA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion
• AEA Distinguished Service Award