Can diversity lead to greater research focus on populations underrepresented in science? Between 1960 and 1990, 76 all-male US universities, including many elite and prominent research institutions, transitioned to coeducation. Using a generalized difference-in-differences design, we find that the increase in undergraduate gender diversity led to a 42% increase in gender-related research publications. After coed- education, universities hired more female faculty and researchers with prior interests in gender-related topics. In addition, incumbent researchers, who were mostly male, shifted their research focus toward gender-related topics. The results support interaction with more diverse students and peers as the key underlying mechanisms.