Gender inequalities in the labor market, education, and household are persistent issues that continue to impact societies around the world. Addressing these inequalities requires a multi-faceted approach, encompassing both academic and policy work. To be truly effective, these efforts must be informed by rigorous research and analysis, and must be translated into concrete, actionable policies that can make a tangible difference. Furthermore, the growing impact of climate change necessitates integrating these efforts into a larger, systemic understanding of the interconnected nature of social, economic, and environmental issues. As we work towards this goal, it is imperative to focus on deconstructing gender stereotypes, combating discrimination, and supporting policies and policymakers that promote equality in a world facing the challenges of climate change.

This event marks the launch of the Women in Social and Public Policy Research Hub (WISPPRH), with an open roundtable discussion as the centerpiece of the event. This event will bring together renowned scholars, representatives of the civil society, and stakeholders in the fields of gender, climate change, and policy. The purpose of the roundtable discussion is to start a conversation on the potential benefits of collaboration and knowledge sharing among centers and programs dedicated to gender issues, with the ultimate goal of making progress on this critical topic. This is an opportunity to be a part of this meaningful dialogue.

Meet our speakers

Emma Codd (@emmajcodd) is the Global Inclusion Leader for Deloitte and leads the development and implementation of the company's global inclusion strategy.  Emma’s work in this role includes a focus on Respect & Inclusion; gender balance; LGBT+ inclusion; mental health, disability and neurodiversity. Emma is a member of the LACA Lead the Change board, a board established by the UK Government to take forward work to increase the diversity and inclusion at the top of the UK’s leading organisations and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership Employers’ Board. 

Paola Profeta (@Paola_Profeta) is the Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability and Professor of Public Economics at Bocconi University. She is also the Director of the AXA Research Lab on Gender Equality and on the board of the Women in Economics Committee of the European Economic Association. Her recent work includes studies on the impact of gender quotas on corporate boards and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on household labor by gender. Her research has been published in top journals such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal of Public Economics, European Economic Review and Review of Economics of the Household. 

Begoña Ramos is a Partner in KPMG UK's Climate Risk and Strategy Team, where she leads the financial services proposition. In addition to her efforts in combating climate change, Begoña is also dedicated to addressing gender inequality in the workplace and recognizes the importance of diversity in creating a more sustainable and equal future.

Johanna Rickne (@johannarickne) is Professor of Economics at Stockholm University's Swedish Institute for Social Research and a part-time Professor of Economics at Nottingham University and the Stockholm School of Economics. She is also a CEPR Fellow, Wallenberg Academy Fellow, and affiliated researcher at IZA. Her research interests include labor economics, political economics, and gender economics. Johanna's work addresses gender inequality in politics and the workforce and she has recently studied the effects of sexual harassment on disparities in the workplace and the impact of traditional gender norms on women's careers and marriages. 

Meet our chair

Naila Kabeer (@N_Kabeer) is Professor of Gender and Development in the Department of International Development at LSE. She is also a faculty member at the International Inequalities Institute at LSE. She has been on the editorial committee of a number of leading journals including Feminist Economist, Development and Change and Gender and Development. Her research focuses on gender, poverty, social exclusion, labor markets, livelihoods, and social protection in South and Southeast Asia. 

Co-Directors of WISPPRH introducing the panel:

Almudena Sevilla (@Sevilla_Almu) is Professor in Economics and Public Policy in the Department of Social Policy at LSE and is currently the Chair of the Royal Economic Society Women's Committee. Almudena is an applied micro economist whose research focuses on the areas of gender economics, child development, and human capital. She currently serves as co-director of the WISPPRH initiative and leads the PARENTIME ERC project, which explores the impact of parental investment on a child's human capital development and future success, with a focus on gender disparities. 

Berkay Ozcan (@BerkayOzcan_) is Associate Professor at the Department of Social Policy and the School of Public Policy at LSE. He is an external Research Fellow at the Center for Research and Analysis on Migration (CReAM) of the UCL and has been awarded a Jemolo Fellowship at the Nuffield College of the University of Oxford (2015). Berkay studies the relationship between demographic processes and economic outcomes, and contributed significantly to the understanding of the driver of gender inequalities. He currently serves as co-director of the WISPPRH initiative.

More about this event

The Women in Social and Public Policy Research Hub (WISPPRH) informs social and public policies that improve women’s outcomes and reduce inequalities. We bring together scholars carrying out research on the causes and consequences of gender inequality in education, labour markets and the family.

The Department of Social Policy (@LSESocialPolicy) provides top quality international and multidisciplinary research and teaching on social and public policy challenges facing countries across the world. From its foundation in 1912 it has carried out cutting edge research on core social problems and helped to develop policy solutions.

 Twitter Hashtag for this event: #WISPPRH