Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, March 23, 2026.— The Universidad Panamericana Aguascalientes campus highlights the strategic role of women in economic research through the insights of Dr. Ángeles Montserrat Govea Franco, a research professor at the School of Economics and Business.
In a global context marked by economic, social, and environmental challenges, women’s growing participation in the economy strengthens knowledge generation and promotes more comprehensive approaches to sustainable development.
The Impact of Women on Economic Research
The research and work of economists play a fundamental role in understanding and shaping the global context; their contributions over the centuries have been so crucial to global development and growth.
Throughout the long history of both research and economics, women have been increasingly joining the field year after year. According to UNESCO’s Science Report, it is estimated that 33% of researchers worldwide are women today, and this figure is expected to continue to grow.
Although this figure has grown—and it is very important that it continue to grow—the impact of women’s participation in research is even more significant. Both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have released findings showing that when a company has greater gender diversity, there is a 25% probability that the company will be profitable and weather a financial crisis.
Developments and Impact in Mexico and Around the World
In Mexico, a few years ago—in 1984, for example—there were five male researchers for every female researcher; that is, there were a total of 1,143 male researchers in the country compared to 253 female researchers. Although these figures are still not quite on par today, they have changed considerably. In fact, according to figures provided by the National System of Researchers (SNI), women now account for 40.4% of all researchers, totaling 17,800 members.
The importance of this participation is not merely numerical; it goes far beyond that. Various studies around the world have shown that diversity in research improves the quality of knowledge, as it incorporates new perspectives and broadens analytical approaches in different fields. In this sense, the increase in women’s participation in research represents not only progress toward equity but also an improvement in the quality of knowledge being generated in the country and around the world.
This change can be seen from multiple perspectives, incorporating a broader and more comprehensive view of economic issues, since women’s approach tends to integrate not only technical and operational aspects but also social, environmental, and human development dimensions, thereby enabling a more complete understanding of contemporary challenges.
In this regard, women’s contributions have helped bring issues such as inequality, poverty, sustainability, and social well-being to the forefront of the agenda
economic, strengthening discipline with a more dynamic, inclusive, and long-term perspective.
Women Leaders in the Economy
For example, Elinor Ostrom, winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Economics, whose work transformed economic theory by demonstrating that communities can efficiently manage natural resources without relying exclusively on the market or the state; Esther Duflo, also a recipient of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics, revolutionized development economics by introducing rigorous experimental methodologies to combat poverty, bringing economics closer to social reality and evidence-based decision-making.
There is also Joan Robinson, who played a key role in the development of growth theory and imperfect competition, challenging classical assumptions and broadening our understanding of how markets function.
It is also important to mention Anne Krueger, who introduced the concept of rent-seeking, making it possible to analyze how institutional incentives can distort economic efficiency—particularly in the contexts of international trade and public policy, to name just a few examples on a global scale.
In Latin America, women economists have played an equally significant role. Nora Lustig has made fundamental contributions to the analysis of inequality and income redistribution, providing key empirical evidence for the design of public policies in the region.
In the case of Mexico, Ifigenia Martínez stands out in particular as a pioneer in the national economy and a leading figure in the study of economic policy and development, as does Patricia Armendáriz, whose career combines economic analysis with financial practice and the promotion of entrepreneurship.
Likewise, figures such as Janet L. Yellen, the first woman to chair the U.S. Federal Reserve, have demonstrated the impact women have on economic decision-making at the global level, particularly in the areas of monetary policy and the labor market.
Environmental Economics and Sustainability: A Field in Transition
It is essential to highlight the role of women in strengthening the environmental economy and sustainability, one of the most important fields today. In this area, Alicia Bárcena, through ECLAC, has promoted the sustainable development approach in Latin America, integrating economic growth with social equity and environmental stewardship.
Similarly, in Mexico, Julia Carabias has been one of the leading figures in environmental economics, promoting public policies aimed at the conservation of natural resources and sustainable development.
Finally, the contributions of women economists and their participation have not only enriched this discipline but have also been key to steering the global economy toward a more dynamic, comprehensive, humane, and sustainable vision. I firmly believe that a sustainable, environmentally friendly world will be achieved the more synergy there is between men and women within the economy and in research across all fields.
A world with more female researchers and more female economists is a world where knowledge, economic development, geopolitical stability, sustainability, and fairness will thrive.
Author details:
Dr. Ángeles Montserrat Govea Franco is an economist, academic, and researcher with a strong background in administrative and economic sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Administrative Sciences, a Master’s degree in Taxation, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. She is a member of the National System of Researchers (SNI) and has published articles in academic journals and book chapters both nationally and internationally.
His research focuses on environmental economics, international trade, finance, and sustainability, addressing topics such as foreign direct investment, environmental regulation, and energy economics.
