Diverse group struggling to open gate to innovative ideas.

Economics' Hidden Gatekeepers: How Journal Boards Shape What We Know

Soraya Malik in Business & Economy December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unveiling the lack of diversity, interlocking editorships, and potential biases influencing economic research."

Have you ever wondered who decides what research makes it into top economics journals? These publications play a crucial role in shaping economic thought and influencing the careers of economists. Understanding the composition of the editorial boards that govern these journals is essential to ensuring a fair and representative academic landscape.

Recent studies are shedding light on the characteristics of these 'gatekeepers' of economics. By analyzing the affiliations, gender, and connections of editorial board members, researchers are uncovering potential biases and power dynamics that could be limiting the scope and diversity of economic research.

This article dives into a groundbreaking analysis of over 1,500 economics journals and 44,000 scholars. We'll explore the geographic and institutional concentration of power, the prevalence of 'interlocking editorships,' and the implications for the future of economic inquiry. Are we missing out on valuable insights due to a lack of diversity at the top?

The Economics Ivory Tower: Who Holds the Keys?

Diverse group struggling to open gate to innovative ideas.

The study reveals a striking concentration of power within economics journal editorial boards. A significant portion of editors are affiliated with elite universities, primarily in the United States. This raises concerns about potential biases toward certain research methodologies, theoretical perspectives, or even geographic regions.

The lack of diversity extends beyond institutional affiliation. Men overwhelmingly dominate editorial boards, further limiting the range of voices and perspectives shaping economic research. While women have made strides in the field of economics, their representation on journal boards still lags behind, particularly in leadership positions.

Geographic Imbalance: A disproportionate number of editors are based in the United States and other Western nations, potentially marginalizing research from other parts of the world.
Institutional Homogeneity: A concentration of power within a small number of elite universities can stifle innovation and limit the diversity of research topics.
Gender Disparity: The underrepresentation of women on editorial boards raises concerns about potential gender biases in the selection and promotion of research.

The study also examines 'interlocking editorships,' where individuals serve on the editorial boards of multiple journals. While this can foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, it also raises concerns about the concentration of power within a small network of individuals. This network could inadvertently prioritize certain research agendas or limit opportunities for emerging scholars.

Opening the Doors: Towards a More Inclusive Economics

The findings of this study underscore the need for greater diversity and inclusivity within economics journal editorial boards. By promoting a wider range of voices, perspectives, and affiliations, the field can foster more innovative research, address pressing global challenges, and ensure a more equitable academic landscape. It's time to open the doors and break down the barriers that limit the potential of economics.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/09538259.2024.2303654,

Title: Who Are The Gatekeepers Of Economics? Geographic Diversity, Gender Composition, And Interlocking Editorship Of Journal Boards

Subject: econ.gn cs.dl physics.soc-ph q-fin.ec

Authors: Alberto Baccini, Cristina Re

Published: 09-04-2023

Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary concern regarding the composition of economics journal editorial boards?

The primary concern is the lack of diversity within economics journal editorial boards. The analysis reveals a concentration of power among individuals affiliated with elite institutions, predominantly in the United States, along with a significant gender disparity. These factors raise concerns about potential biases that could limit the scope, geographic representation, and diversity of economic research, ultimately shaping what we know and understand about economics.

How do 'interlocking editorships' impact the field of economics, according to the findings?

Interlocking editorships, where individuals serve on multiple economics journal editorial boards, can lead to a concentration of power within a small network. While this can facilitate collaboration, it also presents risks. The network could potentially prioritize certain research agendas and limit opportunities for emerging scholars or diverse perspectives. This can inadvertently shape the direction of economic inquiry and potentially stifle innovation.

What are the key aspects of diversity missing from economics journal editorial boards, as highlighted by the study?

The study highlights three key aspects of missing diversity: geographic imbalance, institutional homogeneity, and gender disparity. Geographic imbalance is observed as a disproportionate number of editors are based in the United States and other Western nations. Institutional homogeneity arises from the concentration of editors from elite universities. Gender disparity is evident in the underrepresentation of women, particularly in leadership positions. These imbalances limit the range of voices and perspectives shaping economic research.

What is the significance of the geographic imbalance in economics journal editorial boards?

The geographic imbalance, where a large number of editors are based in the United States and other Western nations, could potentially marginalize research from other parts of the world. This imbalance might lead to a narrow focus on specific economic issues relevant to these regions, potentially overlooking or underrepresenting research and perspectives from other geographic areas. This limits the global relevance and applicability of economic knowledge.

What actions are suggested to create a more inclusive environment within economics journals, and why is this important?

The study underscores the need for greater diversity and inclusivity within economics journal editorial boards. Promoting a wider range of voices, perspectives, and affiliations can foster more innovative research, address pressing global challenges, and ensure a more equitable academic landscape. This involves addressing geographic imbalances, institutional homogeneity, and gender disparities. Ultimately, opening the doors to a broader range of viewpoints will enrich the field, improve the relevance of economic research, and contribute to a more inclusive and representative understanding of economics.