Call for Papers

The Research Lab for Gender Equality at Bocconi University, the Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance (EIEF), and The World Bank's Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Gender Innovation Lab (ECAGIL), the Institute for Economic Development, and the Center for Research on Women and Jobs (CRWJ) are inviting researchers to submit one-page extended abstracts.

Themes

We invite submissions of one-page extended abstracts including the research question, a brief description of the methodology, preliminary findings, author names and affiliations, and the contact email of the corresponding author.

We welcome empirical research on barriers to women's economic opportunities and on policies that expand access to good jobs and support women's entrepreneurship, with particular relevance to Europe and Central Asia. Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Women’s employment, earnings, and job quality
• Women's entrepreneurship, business performance, and access to finance
• Childcare, eldercare, and the care economy
• Technology, AI, and the future of women’s work
• Education, skilling, and school-to-work transitions for young women
• Gender gaps in firm behavior and workplace practices
   

Scientific Committee

• Justus Bamert, Brown U.
• Lucero Burga, World Bank
• Sara Casella, EIEF
• Francesca Carta, Bank of Italy
• Fabrizio Core, LUISS
• Banu Demir, U. of Oxford
• Anna Fruttero, World Bank
• Tomasz Gajderowicz, U. of Warsaw
• Nancy Lozano, World Bank
• Martin Melecky, World Bank
• Franco Peracchi, EIEF
• Paola Profeta, Bocconi U.
• Francesca Truffa, U. of Michigan

Submission Details

Proposals can be submitted to mendthegapworkshop@worldbank.org

Early-career researchers are encouraged to apply.

Important Dates

Deadline for extended abstracts submission: January 16, 2027

Communication of paper acceptance: February 15, 2027

Final paper submission: March 30, 2027

The final program will be posted on the workshop’s website by April 6, 2027.