Ann Mari May, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, recently published her groundbreaking work in the book, "Gender and the Dismal Science: Women in the Early Years of the Economics Profession." Exploring the role of women during the formative years of the economics profession from the 19th century through post-World War II, the book blends rich historical detail with extensive empirical data to examine the structural and institutional factors that excluded women from graduate education, academic publishing and higher education hiring practices.

A book signing will be held at Barnes and Noble, 2910 Pine Lake Road in Lincoln from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 23. Revealing the historical roots of the homogeneity of economics, the book sheds new light on why biases against women persist today.

“Gender and the Dismal Science combines careful archival research, innovative empirical work and a compelling narrative to tell the story of the barriers that women economists have faced since the birth of the field,” said Justin Wolfers, professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan. “With an accessible and compelling voice, Ann Mari May ensures this history of the hidden half can now be seen.”

May joined the Department of Economics at the College of Business in 1987 and has courtesy appointments at Nebraska’s Departments of History, Women’s Studies and Agricultural Economics. Promoted to full professor in 2009, her research has been covered in The Economist, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, ABC News, NBC News, Bloomberg Businessweek, Huffington Post, National Journal, Business Insider, Slate and The Chronicle of Higher Education. She also appeared on C-SPAN, PBS NewsHour, Vermont Public Radio and Nebraska Public Radio to share her work.

To learn more about the book, visit the publisher's website: http://cup.columbia.edu/book/gender-and-the-dismal-science/9780231192910