Mobility

What it is and why it is important

Mobility research investigates the movement of individuals and groups within and between social strata, geographic regions, and economic conditions.

Our research identifies barriers to economic opportunity for people from different backgrounds and informs policies to promote social and economic equity.

Key research topics in this field include:

• Investigating patterns of social mobility, including both upward and downward shifts within social hierarchies.
• Analyzing changes in economic status for individuals and families over generations.
• Studying migration patterns and examining their impacts on both originating and receiving communities and economies.

Research that has the ability to link inequality at earlier ages, or even among one’s parents, to inequality later in life is a promising area. 

Damon Jones