Inequality and emancipation | Radboud University

Inequality and polarisation, for example in terms of wealth inequality and labour migration, are increasing and pose a major social challenge. This is evident in differences in control, opportunities, health, well-being and prosperity between groups of people. Universities have a responsibility to provide insight into how inequality arises and persists, who is affected by it and how these patterns can be broken. We at Radboud University feel this particularly strongly, driven by our emancipatory roots.

This thematic area investigates the causes, manifestations and consequences of social inequality and polarisation in a national and international context, and how emancipation and social cohesion can be strengthened in areas such as education, the labour market, entrepreneurship, the housing market and healthcare. In doing so, we combine legal, historical, social, ethical and cultural perspectives, for example in research into human rights or the inclusion of migrants.

Based on our identity and history, we have a strong position in research into democracy, the rule of law, citizenship, discrimination, migration (e.g. through RUNOMI), gender (e.g. through Radboud Gender & Diversity Studies), post-colonialism, human rights, (controversial) heritage, the history of slavery, Dutch as a second language and criminology.