New conference brings together women in economics
On 15–16 September, Stockholm hosted the First Women’s Network Conference. The conference is part of a new network for women in economics, initiated by Laura Montenbruck, a researcher at Stockholm University.
First Women’s Network Conference, 15–16 September 2026. Laura Montenbruck in the middle.
The network provides a platform for sharing research and fostering collegial support, while also offering workshops and informal gatherings. Earlier this year, Laura Montenbruck was awarded a SEK 1 million grant to develop and run the initiative.
The conference featured panel discussions and presentations by PhD students as well as junior and senior researchers. Topics included women in academia, representation in the police force, and the importance of visibility and networking.
“We started this network so that women in economics have a place to meet and support each other, and the conference really showed how much that’s needed and valued. You could feel it especially in the panel discussions, where senior researchers spoke so openly about their own experiences,” Laura says and concludes the two-day conference:
“We’re still a minority in economics, but when you see this many brilliant women in one room, you realize there are actually quite a lot of us. That was a really good feeling.”
Hedda Thorell, Stockholm University.
Ulrika Ahrsjö, Uppsala University.
Find out more
Laura Montenbruck is a development economist whose research focuses on issues related to public life, work and gender. Read more about her research here:
Further information about the project and grant:
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Source: Department of Economics