Claudia Olivetti, the George J. Records 1956 Professor of Economics and a member of the Steering Committee of the Program in Quantitative Social Science (QSS), was recently featured on the Dartmouth Faculty of Arts and Sciences news page in an article titled, Bridging the Gender Wage Gap.

Professor Olivetti's current research, conducted in collaboration with Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin, sheds light on the persistent gender wage gap that widens after women become mothers. This analysis, recently published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, finds that this disparity remains even as children grow more independent, and mothers work longer hours and take on additional career challenges.

Professor Olivetti's research also reveals a striking contrast: the "fatherhood premium." Men, particularly in high-paying, demanding jobs, often receive promotions and bonuses after becoming fathers. Fathers, seen as primary breadwinners, are rewarded with raises and career benefits, while mothers pursuing similar high-profile careers face financial penalties and heightened barriers—especially in male-dominated fields like medicine and corporate management.

To combat these disparities, Professor Olivetti's work with Barbara Petrongolo (Oxford) emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive support systems that includes both parental leave and high-quality childcare and sustainable policies that enable women to balance family responsibilities and career growth without incurring in large financial penalties.

In Fall 2024, Professor Olivetti taught ECON 57: Data Analysis for Economic Policy: Economics of Career and Family, and she will be teaching this course and ECON 37: Gender and Family Issues in Modern Economies in Winter 2025.