Linda Babcock

Babcock investigates the dynamics of negotiation with a focus on gender equity, crafting a body of work that encourages women to advocate for their interests effectively. Her commitment to this field is reflected in books such as "Ask For It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want," co-authored with Sara Laschever. This book addresses the obstacles women face in negotiation and offers actionable strategies to overcome these barriers. By interweaving academic research with practical advice, Babcock seeks to transform the negotiation landscape, empowering individuals to achieve equitable outcomes.\n\nHer exploration extends beyond individual strategies to address systemic issues within organizations. In "The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-End Work," Babcock, alongside her co-authors, delves into the unequal distribution of unrewarded tasks often shouldered by women in professional settings. By highlighting these disparities, she provides insights and solutions to foster more equitable work environments. Her contributions have resonated widely, as her scholarly work is frequently published in esteemed journals such as the American Economic Review. Therefore, readers from various fields gain a deeper understanding of how negotiation skills can be applied to enhance both personal and organizational outcomes.\n\nBabcock’s influence extends into the educational sphere through her founding of the Program for Research and Outreach on Gender Equity in Society (PROGRESS) at Carnegie Mellon University. This initiative has furthered her impact by developing educational tools to promote gender equity. For those seeking to navigate the complexities of negotiation, Babcock's work offers a blend of theoretical insight and practical guidance, making her an authoritative figure in the intersection of economics and gender studies. Her role as a visiting professor at institutions like Harvard Business School underscores her status as a leading voice in this crucial dialogue.