AEA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion


The American Economic Association has established an annual AEA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion to recognize departments and organizations that demonstrate outstanding achievement in diversity and inclusion practices.

2023 Award Winners


The Center for Effective Global Action at
University of California, Berkeley
Link to Application


The Department of Economics at
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Link to Application


Previous Award Winners

2022 Carleton College, Georgia State University, and Howard University
2021 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
2020 University of Missouri


All US-based departments of economics and other organizations employing significant numbers of economists are encouraged to submit their applications documenting their successes in fostering diversity and inclusion. The selection committee wishes to see evidence of excellence in processes and structures and in outcomes. It will thus focus on those applicants that have taken productive steps to establish new programs and procedures, to create an inclusive environment, and to increase the participation of underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals in their economics communities (including students, department members and leaders, and invited speakers and honorees). All departments of economics, in any college or university in the United States, are eligible, as are other economics organizations and workplaces, such as think tanks and divisions of government agencies.

Award winners, up to four per year, will be celebrated prominently and listed on the AEA Honors and Awards, JOE Network for Job-Seekers, and Resources for Students webpages. Award winners will also be given early access to the reservation system for ASSA hotel space for ten years following award receipt.

Criteria

  • Productive processes and structures, a positive and inclusive culture, and participation and empowerment of individuals from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds and identities.
  • Programs and policies that embody the AEA's Best Practices for Economists Building a More Diverse, Inclusive, and Productive Profession.
  • Publicly available evidence of steps the department or organization has taken to promote diversity and inclusion, informing and educating members of the community and other economics organizations.

Application Process and Deadline

Applications (one per department) should be submitted to info@csmgep.org by 11 pm ET on November 30 with the subject line: "AEA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion." Applications consist of statements of up to 2,000 words demonstrating fulfillment of the award criteria and including a declaration of the department’s diversity and inclusion goals, a self-assessment of successes and weaknesses, and a plan for further improvement and innovation. Previous award winners are eligible to win again after five years. The awards will be adjudicated by representatives of CSMGEP, CSWEP, CSQIEP, CEDPC, and the Executive Committee.

Notification

The award winner(s) will be notified in late December and announced formally at the annual ASSA meetings.