Studying Economics at Manchester is about much more than what happens in the classroom. It is also about becoming part of a wider economics community and having opportunities to meet inspiring role models, develop professional networks, access mentoring and explore the many different careers that economics can lead to. 

This is particularly important when it comes to creating a more inclusive economics profession. Women remain underrepresented in economics, especially as careers progress, and one of the ways we can help change this is by making sure students can see a wide range of possible futures for themselves from the very beginning of their studies. 

At Manchester, students benefit from our links with the Royal Economic Society’s UK Women in Economics Network (UK WEN).  I co-lead Career Conversations for UK WEN and also lead the University of Manchester’s partnership as a UK WEN Champion, supported by the Department of Economics and the Teaching and Learning and Social Responsibility teams within the School of Social Sciences.  Through this partnership, we work with the wider UK WEN network to create opportunities for students to engage with economists from academia, government, central banking, consultancy, finance and many other areas of the profession. 

For students, this means opportunities to hear directly from women working in very different economics careers, ask questions about how they got there, build professional connections and begin to understand the range of routes available after graduation.  There is no single path to becoming an economist, and there is certainly no single definition of a successful economics career. 

Role models are particularly powerful when they feel attainable. It is important for students to meet highly senior economists, but it is equally valuable to hear from people at different stages of their careers whose experiences, decisions and challenges may feel closer to their own.  Through UK WEN Career Conversations, mentoring initiatives and events at Manchester, we aim to give students access to that breadth of experience. 

These opportunities also connect Manchester students to a much wider professional community. In February 2026, for example, I took part as a panellist in the UK WEN Annual Networking Event at the Bank of England, discussing what leaders can do to expand the pipeline of diverse talent in economics.  Two of our students also attended the event: the President and Deputy President of Sheconomics, our student-led society that supports women interested in economics and helps create opportunities for networking, career development and engagement with the profession. Events like this give students the chance to meet economists from universities, policymaking institutions and industry directly, and to begin building professional networks beyond the University while they are still studying with us. 

Mentoring is another important part of this work. Alongside events and networking, we have been involved in mentoring initiatives supporting women economists at different career stages. Mentoring can make a considerable difference because it gives people access to advice, professional insight and conversations that can otherwise be difficult to find. For students and those beginning their careers, it can also make the economics profession feel much more accessible and much less opaque. 

We are also developing stronger links across the North West, bringing together Women in Economics communities across institutions and organisations.  For Manchester students, this will mean being part not only of a university community, but of a growing regional and national network of economists. 

Ultimately, this is what I hope students experience when they study Economics at Manchester: not only a strong academic education, but access to people, networks and opportunities that help them imagine where economics might take them.  Building a more inclusive profession requires long-term change but giving students the opportunity to see themselves within that profession, connect with others and develop the confidence and networks to progress is an important part of that change. 

Written by Dr. Sofia Izquierdo Sanchez, Senior Lecturer in Economics and Student Experience Director in the Department of Economics.

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