Who presents and where? An analysis of research seminars in US economics departments

Abstract

Using a large dataset of research seminars held at US economics departments in 2018, I explore the factors that determine who is invited to present at a research seminar and whether the invitation is accepted. I find that high-quality scholars have a higher probability of being invited than low-quality scholars, and researchers are more likely to accept an invitation if it is issued by a top economics department. The probability of being invited increases with the size of the host department and if the scholar belongs to it. Having a coauthor in the host department increases the probability of being invited and accepting the invitation, whereas the distance between the host department and invited scholar reduces the probability of being invited and accepting the invitation. Female scholars have a lower probability of being invited to give a research seminar than male scholars.