In New Haven, Connecticut, Yale School of Management’s Professor Menaka Hampole has been awarded the Upjohn Institute’s Early Career Research Award. This accolade provides vital support to emerging scholars—within six years of earning their PhDs—who focus on employment-related policy research.
Professor Hampole received the grant for her insightful paper titled “What Explains the Twin Gender Gaps in Higher Education? The Role of Outside Options,” co-authored with Titan Alon and Laura Murphy. The research examines two key disparities: women enrolling in college at higher rates than men, yet experiencing less favorable financial outcomes after graduating. The paper sheds light on how external factors might be influencing these contrasting patterns.
Since joining Yale SOM in Fall 2023 as an Assistant Professor of Finance, Hampole has concentrated her research on the intersection of household finance and labor economics. Her interests include human capital development and the financial dynamics surrounding education. This latest recognition adds to a growing list of supporters of her work, which is already backed by institutions like the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), the Russell Sage Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the Peterson Foundation.
Hampole’s academic journey reflects her deep commitment to understanding economic behavior and financial decision-making. She earned her PhD in finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, following a master’s degree in economics from University College London and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Chicago.
This grant not only celebrates her academic promise but also underscores the importance of exploring nuanced gender-based outcomes in education and the workforce. Her findings aim to inform policymakers, educators, and economists on how to create more equitable systems for all students navigating higher education and their careers beyond it.
