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Gender, feedback, and persistence following rejection: Evidence from academic grant competitions
Apologies for the wrong date in the previous posting of this event
About the Research
In organizational settings, individuals frequently apply for jobs and opportunities, often facing rejection. Previous studies suggest that women are less persistent than men following rejection, potentially leading to long-term disparities in professional achievement. This study challenges that notion by examining how gendered reactions to rejection are influenced by the feedback received. We propose that men are more likely to persist regardless of feedback, while women are more sensitive to the feedback received. Our research focuses on academic research grants, a high-stakes environment where rejection is common. We find that feedback significantly moderates the relationship between gender and reapplication among academic researchers. When feedback is relatively positive—indicating that an application narrowly missed the cutoff— female and male academics are equally likely to reapply. However, when feedback is negative, men are significantly more likely than women to reapply. These dynamics vary further based on the gender-typing of the researchers’ field. The findings enhance our understanding of gender, work, and achievement in competitive professional settings, offering new insights into how feedback influences persistence differently for women and men.
About Laura Doering
Laura Doering is an Associate Professor of Strategic Management and is cross-appointed in the Department of Sociology. As an economic and organizational sociologist, she examines how interactions and social psychological processes shape outcomes for groups, organizations, and markets. Her research has been published in the American Journal of Sociology, American Sociological Review, Sociological Science, Organization Science and other outlets. Professor Doering’s research and writing have appeared in The New York Times, BBC News, The Globe and Mail, and Salon.
Date: Thursday 18 December, 2025
Time: 12:45-14:15 CEST
Venue: B0-114, (Zoom link provided to registered attendees)
Reminder: We no longer provide food as per school policy…
Should you want to attend, please register at https://forms.gle/rYxqPmw7cZsCrsHU8
