The influence of the #MeToo movement on women’s participation and innovation outcomes in STEM fields in the United States, 2010 - 2020

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the impact of the #MeToo movement on women’s participation and innovation outcomes in STEM fields across the United States between 2010 and 2020. Utilizing a robust quantitative approach that includes fixed effects panel regressions, event study analyses, and Difference-in-Differences (DID) methods, the study examines how cultural shifts triggered by the movement influenced female STEM enrollment, employment, and patenting activity. While the #MeToo movement significantly increased media coverage of gender issues in STEM, its direct effects on employment and patenting were limited at the aggregate national and state levels. However, DID analyses revealed a significant rise in female STEM enrollment and marginal gains in patenting, suggesting early signs of progress in education and innovation. The research highlights the enduring influence of structural economic factors—such as GDP, wage disparities, and research investment—in shaping STEM gender equity outcomes, emphasizing the need for multifaceted policy interventions alongside cultural change. By integrating media discourse analysis and employing multiple econometric techniques, this study advances the understanding of social movements’ nuanced effects on STEM participation. The findings inform policy recommendations targeting education access, workplace equity, innovation support, and economic reform to foster a more inclusive STEM ecosystem. Future research should explore longer-term, intersectional, and organizational-level dynamics to better capture the complexities of gender equity in STEM. This dissertation underscores that while cultural movements like #MeToo catalyze important shifts, achieving lasting gender equity in STEM requires sustained, coordinated efforts bridging cultural, structural, and policy domains.