How Has COVID-19 Impacted Research Production in Economics and Finance?

Abstract

Following the onset of COVID-19, research production in economics and finance (measured by the posting of working papers) increased by 29%. Production increases were widespread across geographies, job titles, departments, and ages with larger increases in top departments and for people under the age of 35. Men and women both experienced production increases with the exception of women between the age of 35 and 49, who experienced no production gains despite large increases for men in the same age group. COVID increased reliance on past coauthorship networks, with larger production gains for authors that are more central to the network.

Keywords: COVID-19, research productivity, gender inequality, coauthor network

JEL Classification: A11, A14, J24, J16