Education

What it is and why it is important

Education research investigates how educational systems, policies, and practices influence social structures, economic opportunities, and individual outcomes. It also examines how institutional factors, individual attributes, and social interactions shape educational outcomes.

Our research addresses inequalities in education which contributes to broader social equity, enabling all individuals to reach their full potential.

Key research topics in this field include:

  • Disparities in access to quality education and educational resources.
  • The impact of education on socio-economic mobility and income inequality.
  • The role of education in shaping social and political attitudes and behaviors.

Related Research Papers

Model Uncertainty and Measures of Inequality of Opportunity

Working Paper

Poor Neighborhoods, Bad Schools? A High-dimensional Model of Place-based Disparities in Academic Achievement

Working Paper

Episode #56: Michelle Jackson on the Overworked Labor Force

Featured Episode In Education

June 1, 2026
Why are workers doing more than ever in an age of specialization? Stanford Sociologist Michelle Jackson examines how jobs accumulated new responsibilities over time and reflects on what bolder approaches to education, family, and opportunity could mean for inequality.