The Unintended Consequences of #MeToo: Evidence from Research Collaborations in Economics and Finance

ABSTRACT How did #MeToo alter collaboration between women and men? I show junior female researchers start fewer projects after #MeToo. A decrease in collaborations with male coauthors—especially new senior male coauthors at the same institution—largely explains the decline. The decrease is larger at universities with higher perceived harassment accusation risk and smaller where both women and men publicly express greater awareness of gender issues. I find no evidence that reduced collaboration improves research outcomes for junior female researchers. The results suggest that #MeToo led to a breakdown in trust that came at a cost for junior women's career opportunities.