What does gender representation in economics really look like today—and why does it matter? In this episode of Talk That Science, we’re joined by Kaneta Zillur, Head of Research at the Women in Economics Initiative (WiE), to explore the state of gender equality across academia, the private sector, and public institutions. Kaneta introduces us to the Women Economics Index, a tool that tracks female leadership globally, and unpacks this year’s spotlight on African economists.

We discuss how the Index is built, what the numbers reveal (including it's surprising trends in Africa and the private sector), and why representation in leadership is so crucial for shaping policy, business, and the next generation of economists. Kaneta shares insights on the barriers women face, from the “leaky pipeline” to financial and caregiving pressures, and highlights the importance of mentorship and intersectional approaches—including amplifying voices from the Global South and addressing gaps in Asian data.

Tune in for a deep dive into the challenges and progress of breaking up the glass ceiling in economics!


Tracks played during the episode include:

Tomar Ghorey - Anusheh Anadil
Anxiety - Doechii
No Hands - Joy Crookes
Woman (Feat. Lianne La Havas) - Nao
Host: Kira

A big thanks to the Student Impact Center of the University of Amsterdam for supporting the show and to EchoBox Radio for hosting us! Join us for an great conversation on gender representation, leadership, and the future of economics.

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