From climate economics to machine learning and public policy, women researchers and PhD students at CREST contribute every day to advancing knowledge and addressing major societal challenges.

Every year on March 8, International Women’s Rights Day highlights the achievements of women across society and offers an opportunity to reflect on progress toward gender equality. In academia, women researchers play a crucial role in advancing knowledge, even though they remain underrepresented in several disciplines and at senior levels.

At CREST, women researchers and PhD students contribute actively to research in economics, sociology, finance and statistics. Through their work, they help strengthen the laboratory’s international visibility while addressing some of the major economic and social challenges of our time.

Research shedding light on societal transformations

Many women researchers at CREST conduct research that directly informs debates on public policy and social change.

For example, Marion Leroutier has studied differences in carbon footprints between men and women. Her research shows that women emit on average around 26% less CO₂ than men, a gap largely explained by differences in consumption patterns, particularly in transportation and food. This work contributes to discussions on environmental policy and highlights how gendered behaviors can influence the distributional effects of climate policies.

Research conducted at CREST also addresses broader demographic and economic transformations. Studies on the decline in fertility in France and other developed countries, by Pauline Rossi in her recent book, examine the economic and social implications of demographic change, a topic that has become increasingly central to public debate.

Recognition of women researchers at CREST

The work of women researchers at CREST is regularly recognized by the international academic community.

In 2026, Yuki Tamura received the Young Female Researchers Award from the Japanese Economic Association, highlighting the growing international visibility of her research.

In statistics and machine learning, Anna Korba was awarded a prestigious ERC Starting Grant for her project OptInfinite, which aims to develop new optimization and machine learning methods in infinite-dimensional settings.

These distinctions illustrate the diversity and excellence of research conducted by women scientists at CREST across multiple disciplines.

Women contributing to economic policy and public debate

Women researchers at CREST are also actively involved in shaping economic debate and public policy.

For instance, Emmanuelle Taugourdeau and Pauline Rossi were recently appointed members of the Conseil d’analyse économique, an advisory body that provides economic expertise to the French government. Their work contributes to bringing rigorous economic analysis into policy discussions.

CREST researchers also regularly participate in public debates through media appearances and collaborations with institutions, helping to disseminate research findings beyond academia.

The role of doctoral researchers

Doctoral students are another essential component of the laboratory’s research ecosystem. Many PhD students at CREST contribute to innovative research projects in areas such as labor markets, inequality, discrimination, data science and financial economics.

In the 2025-2026 cohort, nearly half of the newly recruited PhD students are women (12 women and 15 men), reflecting CREST’s ability to attract talented young female researchers. This dynamic is an important aspect of the laboratory’s commitment to promoting diversity in academic careers, not only at the doctoral level but throughout all stages of recruitment.

Looking ahead

International Women’s Rights Day is both a moment to celebrate achievements and a reminder of the importance of continuing to promote diversity in research.

At CREST, the work of women researchers and doctoral students contributes every day to advancing knowledge and to improving our understanding of economic and social transformations.

On this March 8, we celebrate their contributions to the laboratory’s scientific life and to the broader academic community.

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Scientific excellence depends on the diversity of perspectives within the research community. Supporting the careers of women researchers and doctoral students is therefore not only a matter of equality, but also a key condition for the vitality and impact of research. At CREST, we are committed to fostering an academic environment where talent can thrive at every stage of the scientific career.

Find more highlights by women at CREST:

• Emmanuelle Taugourdeau signe une tribune sur la sous-représentation des femmes dans la recherche économique avec Le Monde

• Les Mouettes Savantes : mathématiques et informatique au service de l’écologie

• Micro-travail et discriminations : quand la recherche éclaire le droit

• Quand l’histoire économique éclaire les accord commerciaux

• Maddalena Conte reçoit le Prix de thèse Philippe Martin pour ses travaux sur les inégalités territoriales