Research Assistant: Do Investment Behaviors and Outcomes Differ by Gender?

Introduction to the topic:

DIS faculty in International Business and Global Economics are pursuing research on gender differences in investment behavior and outcomes. With its robust social welfare system, comparatively high level of gender equality, and generally progressive attitude towards LGBTQ+ rights, Denmark offers an exceptional setting to explore gender differences in how people save, invest, and otherwise manage their money.

Project details:

We are seeking up to 3 research assistants interested in any of the following:

Does reliance on investment funds, wealth management professionals, or asset rating systems differ by gender? Are these differences more or less pronounced in Denmark, comparatively? How, if at all, do these differences affect investment outcomes? For students interested in these questions, interviews with bankers and wealth managers will be of special importance.
How do class and social mobility impact investment behavior across genders in Denmark and/or the US? To address this question, students will first need to examine gender differences in educational attainment, financial literacy, and access to financial services in Denmark and the US. This can involve studying data from educational and financial institutions, as well as examining government reports and scholarly articles in order to understand how such social and institutional factors shape gender differences in investment behavior.
Do personal investment choices differ across genders? Do female-identified people invest in certain industries/companies and avoid others, compared to people with other gender identifications? Are people of certain genders more likely than others to invest in controversial sectors such as spyware, weapons manufacturing, fossil fuel extraction, or the tobacco industry? To examine these questions, students may use qualitative methods—including surveying DIS students and interviewing professionals in the investment industry—or quantitative analyses of published or publicly available data.

Selected relevant publications:

Prerequisites

One semester of microeconomics at university level.

Additional research application required

You will need to submit an additional research application through Student Registration in order to enroll in this course.

To submit your research application, you must already be admitted to DIS.

All research application materials must be submitted on the following dates by 23:59 Central European Time:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your additional research application through Student Registration.

If you are not already enrolled, use this link to apply to DIS before completing a research application.

Syllabus

Spring 2025

Go to syllabus

This is the most recent syllabus for this course

Faculty

David Possen

Faculty

Ph.D. (Philosophy and Social Thought, University of Chicago, 2009). Formerly at Yale University’s Whitney Humanities Center and the University of Copenhagen’s Søren Kierkegaard Research Center. External Lecturer of philosophy in the University of Copenhagen Department of Communication. With DIS since 2014.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Prerequisites

Additional research application required

Syllabus

Spring 2025

Faculty

David Possen

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?