As NBER recently finished its summer institute and BREAD is announcing its upcoming conference, let& #39;s discuss how "insane" it is that these two important institutions in economics do not have open and transparent criteria for membership/affiliation. https://twitter.com/cepr_org/status/1291794277383712771">https://twitter.com/cepr_org/...

This is what I get at the NBER website, when I click on people. You have to get nominated first - presumably by a member already - then there is some unclear selection process.

If you don& #39;t have the network, you won& #39;t even get nominated. I can pair many equivalent CVs of members and non-members stratified by experience and accomplishment...I don& #39;t think there is even any pretense to deny that some deserving people are excluded - it& #39;s a club...

This is what I get at BREAD website, when I click on People. They don& #39;t even try to describe the selection process - just list the people. If you went to the right school, had the right advisor, or you "play the game" and have someone nominate you, you get to have a shot.

Even if you& #39;re nominated by some luck, don& #39;t hold your breath. No one will explain to you why you were not given "admission" either. A worse club...

I don& #39;t know if such lack of transparency hurts women, minorities, and other underrepresented communities more - but it is likely. So, while we& #39;re talking about inclusion and diversity, let& #39;s do something about this as well?