Highlighting injustices that impact men and women differently
Sexual harassment widens the economic gap between women and men. Young women are increasingly at risk as they pursue their careers. Wallenberg Academy Fellow Johanna Rickne is investigating injustices that often stem from gender differences.
Johanna Rickne. Photo: Magnus Bergström
Rickne is a professor of economics at Stockholm University. She has devoted much of her research career to issues of democracy, integration and gender equality.
Her current research addresses sexual harassment in the labor market – its causes, effects, and how it can be prevented.
According to Rickne, being a woman and pursuing a career in a male-dominated sector increases the risk of sexual harassment.
“Activities that improve career opportunities also place women in a more vulnerable position: in academic jobs, it may involve attending conferences, participating in social activities at work, or having meetings and receiving input from others.”
Many companies and organizations actively work to combat sexual harassment. But research has shown that action taken to date has not been very effective, here, Rickne sees new opportunities from an economic perspective:
“In economics, we often conduct field experiments and extensive surveys. These are methods we currently use to explore new ways to prevent sexual harassment.”
Read full article at Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation´s website
Last updated: 2026-02-11
Source: Communications Office