Inequality is one of the key scientific and societal challenges of our time. Inequalities exist both locally and globally and across multiple domains: health, education, income and wealth, access to justice and public administration, political power the impact of climate change and the risk of marginalisation. These inequalities have important consequences for individuals and societies.

Leiden University studies the causes and consequences of inequality and the promising ways in which individuals, organizations and policy can move towards more just societies. For example, we help find solutions relating to income and wealth inequalities. We study the role of the education system in perpetuating or reducing inequalities, as well as the causes of health inequalities among socioeconomic groups and people from diverse sociocultural backgrounds. Furthermore, we examine the dynamics of discrimination and exclusion, political representation, civic participation and social justice.

An interdisciplinary approach is needed to address the many different factors and mechanisms that play a role in these inequalities. To this end we bring together expertise from many different disciplines, including anthropology, economics, earth sciences, governance, health sciences, history, law, political science, psychology and sociology. Furthermore, we often collaborate with societal partners and are well-connected to policymaking at various levels.

In our teaching, we prepare a new generation of professionals who approach the challenge of tackling inequalities using different perspectives.

To find out more about our research and teaching on the topic of inequalities, or would like to contribute, please contact us at: inequalities@leidenuniv.nl.