Inequalities

Inequalities


Inequality manifests itself in many forms that have been aggravated by current international economic trends. Understanding the complex phenomena behind these rising trends requires a multidisciplinary approach, as inequalities develop across different levels (local, regional, national and international) and interact with different socio-demographic, economic and institutional factors.

Driving social change across the globe by addressing the origins and consequences of inequalities

We apply LSE’s leading expertise on social and political sciences to understand how inequalities may arise in different environments. We are interested in the long-term effects of inequality on people’s lives and its broader impact on society. Overall, our work produces insights on what reinforces structures of inequalities and the potential counteractions to reduce, and eventually, eliminate such structures.

To assess both the origins and consequences of inequality within different environments, we apply LSE’s leading expertise on social and political sciences. We are interested in the long-term effects of inequality on people’s lives and its broader impact on society. Overall, our work produces insights on what reinforces structures of inequalities and the potential counteractions to reduce, and eventually, eliminate such structures.

What is the relation between economic inequality and poverty? How do early-years policies reduce social inequality and how can this benefit education, the economy and labour markets in the long run? And what is the link between poverty and social exclusion with long-term unemployment and workless households as a result? We provide interdisciplinary research and approaches to understand and address pervasive problems like these to drive social change across the globe.


Who we work with

Our team works across LSE departments and specialised units, such as the International Inequalities Institute (III), a leading hub at LSE for multidisciplinary action on issues of inequality, the Department of Economics, the Department of Social Policy and the Department of Sociology.


Areas of expertise

The dynamics of inequality

What we do:

Providing research insights in the causes of inequalities and the mechanisms in place to tackle today's biggest challenges, regarding large-scale and mirco-level processes. 


Examples of our work: 

Double Trouble: A review of the relationship between UK poverty and economic inequality
Oxfam GB, 2017

How Poverty Affects People's Decision-making Processes
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2017

Social Mobility, the Class Pay Gap and Intergenerational Worklessness: New Insights from the Labour Force Survey
Social Mobility Commission, 2017

What can the Labour Force Survey tell us about inter-generational social mobility?
Department for Education & Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, 2016

Impact of the Level and Types of Personal and Household Debt on Individual Outcomes
Citizens Advice Bureau, 2015

How much does money matter?
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2015


Core experts:

>   Dr Abigail McKnight
>   Dr Jennifer Sheehy-Skeffington
>   Dr Kitty Stewart
>   Dr Luna Glucksberg
>   Professor Mike Savage
>   Dr Sam Friedman

Strategic approaches to inequality

What we do:

Designing and developing policies and strategies that aim to tackle the social impacts of inequality both on a social scale and in the private sector and business context. 


Examples of our work:

Harrow Keeping Families Together Evaluation
London Borough of Harrow, 2019

Closing Gaps Early: The role of early years policy in promoting social mobility in England
The Sutton Trust, 2017

Creating More Equal Societies: What Works?
European Commission – DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, 2016

Low Pay and In-work Poverty: Preventative Measures and Preventative Approaches
European Commission – DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, 2016

Support Services for Social Policy Experimentation in the EU
European Commission – DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, 2015


Core experts:

>   Dr Abigail McKnight
>   Professor Anne Power
>   Dr Arnaud Vaganay
>   Dr Kitty Stewart
>   Dr Madeleine Stevens
>   Dr Tania Burchardt

Group-based inequalities

What we do:

Research to understand institutional processes linked to discrimination based on the group, class or category to which individuals and communities belong, as well as designing and evaluating strategies to tackle this.


Examples of our work:

Anglicans and Sexuality: A Way Forward?
Arcus Foundation, 2016

Evaluation of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies
European Parliament, 2015

Measurement Framework Review: Theory Paper on Human Rights Monitoring
Commission for Equality and Human Rights, 2016


Core experts:

>   Dr Ania Plomien
>   Dr Claire Gordon
>   Professor Conor Gearty
>   Dr Grace Lordan
>   Dr Will Bartlett

»  Get in touch to find out how we can collaborate