As part of its Global Book Talk series, the UN Economist Network (UNEN) is pleased to kick off its 2026 programme with a discussion featuring Diane Elson, in cooperation with the International Association for Feminist Economics. The session will centre on her recent open-access volume, The Diane Elson Reader: Gender, Development and Macroeconomic Policy.
Date: 4 February 2026
Time: 14:30–16:00 CET
Format: Hybrid (Zoom) and Rooms S12, Geneva Graduate Institute
Host: Richard Samans
This opening book talk of the year will explore how feminist economic thinking has reshaped debates on macroeconomic policy, development, and social justice over the past four decades—and why these insights remain highly relevant today. Drawing on selected writings from across Professor Elson’s career, alongside a new framing introduction, the discussion will consider what a genuinely human-centred macroeconomics demands in the context of widening inequality, care deficits, and intersecting global transitions.
Outline
Opening remarks and book presentation by Professor Diane Elson (20–25 minutes)
Reflections from two discussants: one academic economist and one UN economist (approx. 10 minutes each)
Moderated discussion and Q&A with participants from across the UN system and partner academic networks
About the book
Diane Elson is one of the most influential figures in feminist economics. Her work has played a defining role in advancing gender-aware approaches to macroeconomic policy, public finance, labour markets, and development, both in academic scholarship and policy practice. She has served as Vice President of the International Association for Feminist Economics, as a member of the UN Committee for Development Policy (2013–2021), and currently advises UN Women and the UK Women’s Budget Group. In 2016, she was awarded the Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought.
The Diane Elson Reader: Gender, Development and Macroeconomic Policy brings together a curated selection of her most influential writings from the past 35 years, alongside a new introductory essay. Spanning macroeconomic policy, care economies, labour, public finance, and global development, the volume traces how feminist economics has challenged mainstream assumptions about growth, efficiency, and value—offering both a retrospective on the evolution of the field and a forward-looking framework for more inclusive, accountable, and human-centred economic policymaking.
About the UN Economist Network Book Talks
The UN Economist Network (UNEN) brings together over 500 economists working across UN organisations, commissions, and country offices worldwide. Its Global Book Talk series is designed to strengthen dialogue between UN economists and leading academic networks engaged in rethinking economic theory, policy, and practice.
The book is available open access, and participants are encouraged to consult selected chapters in advance. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
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