Georgia State Receives American Economic Association’s Top Award for Diversity and Inclusion

ATLANTA — The American Economic Association (AEA) has selected Georgia State University’s Department of Economics as a 2022 winner of its Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion. The award was presented at an AEA reception on Jan. 7.

The department was commended for its achievements in multiple programs and practices that reflect AEA guidelines to help build a more diverse, inclusive and productive economics profession. The guidelines present five best practices for economists in each of four areas of professional activity — conducting research, serving as colleagues, working with students and leading departments and workplaces — as well as practical suggestions for implementation and supporting research and resources.

“Faculty and staff in our economics department under the leadership of our chairs Jim Marton and, previously, Shif Gurmu, have worked hard to promote the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in hiring, research, graduate student support and departmental culture,” said Sally Wallace, dean of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (AYSPS), in which the department sits, and a professor of economics. “Georgia State has supported us in these endeavors, and we appreciate the work done via the Provost’s Office over the last several years. We remain committed to furthering this work and success. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

The AEA posted the AYSPS application for the award to its website so others may learn from the approach the college has taken.

“On behalf of the AEA leadership, congratulations on your success in practices fostering diversity and inclusion, and on winning this important AEA award,” Peter Rousseau, secretary-treasurer of the American Economic Association, wrote in an email announcing the award. “Please allow me to express our sincere gratitude for investing in the improvement of the climate in the economics profession.”