Dr. Daria Sevastianova, Associate Professor of Economics, was a panelist at the fourth annual Women in Economics Symposium, sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. This year the symposium was a two-day event with hundreds of women in attendance virtually. The theme was “Making a Difference in the World.”
The virtual format was an excellent opportunity to increase attendance, allowing more than 1,000 women to attend. In 2018 and 2019 when Sevastianova and her students attended the symposiums in St. Louis, capacity was capped at only 200.
Sevastianova was a presenter in the session “Making a Difference by Starting a Women in Economics Club at Your University.” She noted there were more than 650 attendees on February 17 when she presented, and more than 400 on February 18. She and the other panelists answered questions related to starting their economics clubs and successes and challenges along the way. “My fellow panelists and I received many great questions from our WebEx audience!” she said.
This year’s symposium had something for everyone, and attendees learned how economists can help save the environment, reduce income inequality, improve healthcare outcomes, help people make better decisions and reduce the severity of economic recessions.
The annual symposium began in 2018 at the St. Louis Fed, along with the Women in Economics Podcast Series. This initiative is designed to connect young women with accomplished women in the economics profession who share the story of their career journey—helping inspire women who wonder if economics is a profession they should (and actually could) pursue.
The recorded panelists sessions are available on the St. Louis Fed's website.