Social Science Research on Education and the Life Course

We examine the role of education across the life course. Using longitudinal and cross-national data, we analyze individual, social, and political determinants of educational outcomes and their dynamic interplay. We also investigate the long-term consequences of educational attainment for key life outcomes, including mental health and social status. A central focus of our work is social inequality in education. We study the mechanisms that generate unequal opportunities and outcomes, as well as how these inequalities persist and evolve over the life course. Our overarching goal is to advance social science theory and inform policies that enable individuals to reach their full potential.