Role Models in Movies: The Impact of Queen of Katwe on Students' Educational Attainment

This paper presents experimental evidence on the impact of a role model on secondary school students' exam performance in Uganda. Students were individually randomised to see either a movie featuring a female role model, Queen of Katwe, or to see a placebo movie. I find that treatment with the role model immediately before an important national exam leads to students performing better in their exams, particularly in maths subjects, with effects largest for female students. Female students exposed to the role model are more likely to remain in education in subsequent years, closing the gender gap with their male peers.