In 2022, Ratio instituted this scholarship, which is specifically aimed at doctoral students and newly-disputed researchers, who want to acquire new experience and skills in research related to the conditions of business. Natalie Irmert has been awarded a scholarship of SEK 50 000.
Congratulations Natalie – what will you use the scholarship for?
“The scholarship will be used to carry out a survey in Sweden, where I will explore gender norms about professions. More specifically I will look into why there are not more men pursuing a career in female-dominated jobs. The scholarship money will be used to create a survey using material from Statistics Sweden (SEB Statistikmyndigheten). “
In what field are you doing research?
“My research interests lie in education economics and labour market economics, with a particular interest in issues related to gender segregation in occupational choices. My interests have always been within education economics, but since I started the PhD programme at LUSEM my focus has shifted more towards labour market economics and gender norms. This has been influenced by attending workshops and seminars at the Department of Economics. The results of the survey will be used in a paper that will be part of my thesis.“
Is there an award ceremony?
“No, not an award ceremony – but the stipend will give a talk at Ratios research seminar. My research talk will not take place until next year, since I will soon leave for my exchange year at MIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology.“
