Changing Harmful Norms: 2025 Faculty of Arts Distinguished Lecture in Economics
On Thursday, October 2, 2025 the University of Waterloo will be hosting Eliana La Ferrara, Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, to give the annual Distinguished Lecture in Economics on the topic of harmful gender norms.
Harmful gender norms are persistent in many countries, despite the efficiency and equity costs they entail. Professor La Ferrara will discuss what factors may contribute to this persistence, and how these norms may be eradicated.
About Professor Eliana La Ferrera
Eliana La Ferrara is a Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. She is Past President of the Econometric Society and Program Director of Development Economics for the Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). She is also a J-PAL Affiliate, a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Economic Association, and an International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Her research focuses on Development Economics and Political Economics, particularly on the role of social factors in economic development. Methodologically, she combines fieldwork, rigorous empirical analysis, and microeconomic theory to address questions at the intersection of economics and other social sciences. She has studied ethnic diversity, kin structure and social norms, and the effects of television on social outcomes. She has also investigated political constraints to development, with particular focus on violent conflict in Africa. She regularly collaborates with governments and international organizations to evaluate the effectiveness of development policies.
Date: October 2, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Federation Hall, University of Waterloo
Since 2014, the Faculty of Arts Distinguished Lecture in Economics has given students and the broader community access to new ideas and insights in economics. Lectures have covered topics ranging from Innovation and patents, to jobs, and from child health to inequality. For video recordings of the past lectures please see the links at the bottom of the page.
We believe that these lectures ignite curiosity and cultivate a greater understanding of how economics can contribute to solutions for societies' problems.
The lecture has been supported by generous donations over the years, providing the financial resources necessary to engage a leading economist to present the public lecture. For larger sponsorship opportunities, please contact the department chair, Prof. Lutz Busch.