The study of social and economic inequality is a hallmark of Wisconsin's research portfolio, particularly in the fields of Sociology and Rural Sociology, Economics, Public Policy and Social Work. Nowhere more than at Wisconsin have researchers long recognized that the distribution of resources and rewards is closely linked with demographic structures and processes. Fertility, family and household behavior may create and foster inequalities in economic resources, both within and across generations; similarly, inequality in social and economic resources may affect individual and family behavior. Socioeconomic inequality is intrinsically linked with health inequalities, access to schooling, and success in later life. Considerable scientific debate focuses on causal relationships between segregation and socioeconomic inequalities, and race/ethnic inequalities pervade much of the research on inequality, regardless of particular theoretical focus. Two-thirds of CDE researchers are engaged in research on this theme--more than for any other theme. Many are studying aspects of poverty and hardship, as well as inequalities in income and wealth. Several CDE scholars are engaged in research on educational and occupational attainment, key elements of human capital that account for some of the inequality in income and wealth. A number of public policy initiatives attempt to ameliorate the most pernicious aspects of inequality, and CDE researchers have contributed considerably to the evaluation of their effects. Much additional research considers the relationship between family and household behaviors and inequality.
CDE Researchers in the Demography of Inequality
Berger, Lawrence M.Cancian, Maria
Carlson, Marcy
Cooley, Jane C.
Coxhead, Ian
Curtis, Katherine J.
DeLeire, Thomas
Ewig, Christina
Fujimura, Joan
Gerber, Ted
Heinrich, Carolyn J.
Magnuson, Katherine
Massoglia, Michael
Meyer, Daniel R.
Mullahy, John
Palloni, Alberto
Raymo, James
Robert, Stephanie
Schechter, Laura
Schmeiser, Maximilian D.
Scholz, John Karl
Schwartz, Christine
Seshadri, Ananth
Smeeding, Timothy M.
Taber, Christopher
Walker, James