Join us for an exciting discussion with Freedom Center Director and Assoc. Prof. Mary Rigdon.
Upcoming Events at the Freedom Center
Join us for thought-provoking lectures, discussions, and workshops on philosophy, politics, and economics.
U of A Committee on the Status of Women’s Equity & Mentoring Speaker Series
April 15 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Exploring the Gender Wage Gap
Exploring the Gender Wage Gap: Social Incentives, Salary Negotiations, and Workplace Barriers
Bio
Mary Rigdon, Director of the Freedom Center and Associate Professor in the Department of Political Economy and Moral Science at the University of Arizona, is a nationally recognized expert on gender equity. Her recent work focuses on understanding gender differences in competitiveness and the role this plays in the persistent gender wage gap. Mary’s work is supported by the National Science Foundation and has been published in top scientific journals, including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Phil Trans B, and Evolution and Human Behavior. Her research has been covered by local, national, and international media, including interviews with UArizona News, a special feature in the Financial Post, KJZZ’s The Show (Phx, AZ), and KVOA Channel 4 News (Tucson, AZ). Mary has presented this research in the National Science Foundation’s Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Distinguished Lecture Series, and she was competitively selected to present her research at the 2023 SXSW UArizona Wonder House.
Abstract
Why do women continue to earn less than men, despite being just as qualified? Why are women less likely to negotiate salaries, seek promotions, or enter male-dominated, high-paying fields? In this talk, Dr. Mary Rigdon explores the research she’s conducted examining gender differences in competitiveness and the gender wage gap and challenges the idea women are less competitive than men. She examines the policies, societal limitations, and data that highlight ongoing barriers for women and emphasizes the need for companies to rethink their approach to narrowing the gender wage gap.
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