Understanding discrimination: the role of qualitative and historical methods

While much of the literature on the nature, definitions, and scope of heterodoxy has focused on its analytical and policy potential, whether heterodox economics deals with diversity and inclusivity within its own epistemological domains, academic territories, and professional conduct has not been explored in depth. Building on our academic research and pedagogical trajectories using a qualitative and historical lens, we analyse if and how heterodox economics has been dealing with its lack of diversity and promoting inclusivity practices. Our review of the existing literature highlights existing data gaps on diversity and discusses how qualitative and historical research (oral histories and classroom observational studies) can reveal diversity-related issues in heterodox economics and thus lead to potential solutions. We conclude that these less common data collection methods provide considerable benefits to understanding the current diversity gap in heterodoxy and how acknowledgement of methodological pluralism will implement inclusive approaches to the economics profession.