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Pusan National University study rethinks how household income needs are assessed for welfare support

A Pusan National University study explores how household composition and consumption type influence equivalence scales, suggesting a more nuanced approach to adjusting household income for welfare support. The findings have direct implications for Korea's National Basic Livelihood Security system, with potential applications for policy...

SourcePusan National University·JournalAsia Pacific Viewpoint·TypeObservational study·DateSep 10, 2026

Rich more likely to use AI study finds, as experts warn these burgeoning technologies are increasing social inequality

A recent study reveals that individuals with higher education or income are more aware of and use AI tools, exacerbating social inequalities. The researchers recommend increasing engagement with AI-related topics through outreach campaigns, educational programs, and community workshops to reduce this new digital divide.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·TypeObservational study·DateMay 1, 2026

Hat wars of early modern England revealed

A new study by Bernard Capp reveals that refusing to doff one's hat was a potent act of political defiance during the civil war era, with elite men both adopting and resisting the practice. In contrast, an 18th-century Englishman's hat remained a powerful symbol of personal protection.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalThe Historical Journal·DateApr 9, 2026

People in need of disability benefits are facing new barriers – and government cuts and overhauls are to blame

The federal disability benefits system has become more difficult to navigate due to staffing reductions and administrative changes. Researchers found that 16 million people, including those in severe medical crises or on the edge of homelessness, are facing increased barriers to accessing desperately needed cash assistance. The report ...

SourceBinghamton University·TypeSurvey·DateMar 9, 2026

Pay gap among academics does not stop at university

A new study by Radboud University and the University of Groningen found that PhD graduates, particularly women, experience a persistent pay gap outside academia. Women earn an average of 171 euros less per month immediately after obtaining their doctorate, with this disparity increasing over time.

SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalResearch in Social Stratification and Mobility·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 12, 2026

People from low-income communities smoke more, are more addicted and are less likely to quit

Research found that people experiencing economic disadvantages are more likely to smoke cigarettes, have higher levels of tobacco addiction, and find it harder to quit. Electronic cigarettes were the most common aid to help people quit, but those who rented or owned their houses had lower odds of quitting successfully.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 11, 2026

“Autoplay got me there”: How YouTube’s algorithm built a following for fascist group Patriotic Alternative

A study by City St George's criminologist Dr Tony Karas found that social media, particularly YouTube, was crucial in the radicalization process for 40 PA activists. The platform's autoplay function nudged them towards more extreme content, often with ethnonationalist views.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalStudies in Conflict and Terrorism·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 20, 2026

Study finds Kansas City fare-free bus policy attracted new riders, increased overall use

A study by the University of Kansas found that Kansas City's zero-fare bus policy attracted 17% of respondents who started using bus service, particularly among younger people and white residents. The policy also increased overall bus use, with new users without vehicle access making more trips per week than those with access.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalTransport Policy·TypeSurvey·DateNov 10, 2025

A rapid rise of private club and travel teams in youth sports

A recent study reveals that private club and travel teams in youth sports have surged, with kids from high-educated parents and affluent backgrounds more likely to participate. The shift towards elite sports positions has led to increased costs and commitments for families, exacerbating social inequalities.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Sport and Social Issues·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 25, 2025

Arts programs can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and other leading causes of deaths, large study finds

A large international study found that arts-based programs can make health messages more memorable and relevant to people's lives, improving health behaviors and cultural relevance of disease prevention programs. The study suggests that arts could be a vital part of the toolkit for promoting health and preventing disease.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalNature Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 24, 2025

Large social and economic inequalities persist among UK doctors

A study of 10 years of UK Labour Force Survey data shows that those from professional backgrounds are 6 times more likely to become doctors than those from working class backgrounds. The researchers call for greater efforts to boost social mobility and understand the impact on patient care.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·TypeObservational study·DateSep 9, 2025

Women earn 25% less than men in wealthy households, finds study

A new analysis of the gender pay gap in the UK reveals that women in wealthier households earn 25% less than men, while those in poorer households experience a smaller 4% gap. The study highlights the importance of addressing societal penalties for being female and improving job quality to reduce the pay gap.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalCambridge Journal of Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2025

Majority of riders and drivers in UK 'gig economy' suffer anxiety over ratings and pay, study suggests

A study by the University of Cambridge found that two-thirds of UK gig economy riders and drivers experience anxiety over ratings and pay, with over half risking health and safety while working. The study also revealed that local workers spend an average of ten hours a week waiting for jobs to come through on the app.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalWork Employment and Society·TypeSurvey·DateJun 2, 2025

New research in JNCCN finds stark disparities in treatment and survival time for people with pancreatic cancer

Researchers found significant disparities in quality of care and outcomes for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Patients with higher social vulnerability indices were less likely to receive guideline-concordant systemic therapy, palliative care, or survive over 12 months.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateApr 9, 2025

White-collar crimes: ‘Fall from grace’ and the stigma of reentry into society

A Florida Atlantic University study reveals that middle-class white-collar offenders face unique challenges during reentry into society, including stigma, anxiety, and fear of public exposure. Despite these challenges, they tend to secure employment and stable housing more easily than non-white-collar offenders.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJustice Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 24, 2025

How family background can help lead to athletic success

A new study suggests that family background, including socioeconomic status, has a profound impact on athletic success. Research found that students from high SES families were more likely to play sports and achieve success, while those from low SES families faced barriers to participation. The study's findings challenge the common not...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 20, 2025

Socially dominant individuals are more confident but not necessarily more competent

Research from the University of Kent found that socially dominant individuals are more confident in their decisions, debunking the notion that confidence equals competence. The study, published in Personality and Individual Differences, used two-choice statistical learning tasks to assess participants' performance.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2025

Black Britons from top backgrounds up to three times more likely to be downwardly mobile

A new study by the University of Kent reveals that Black Britons, even from affluent families, are substantially more likely to end up in working-class jobs than their White peers. The research found that Black men from privileged backgrounds are four times more likely to be downwardly mobile after education is taken into account.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalSociological Research Online·TypeSurvey·DateNov 19, 2024

Organized youth sports are increasingly for the privileged

A study found that organized youth sports are increasingly dominated by privileged families, with those from educated parents being more likely to participate. Despite an overall increase in sports participation, there has been a concerning rise in kids dropping out of sports, affecting both generations.

SourceOhio State University·JournalLeisure/Loisir·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 20, 2024

Women at risk of ‘digital overload’ – new research reveals

A new study by Lancaster University highlights that women are more likely than men to experience 'digital overload' and burnout due to their greater use of digital technologies in both work and family lives. The research emphasizes the need for gender-egalitarian work-from-home arrangements and policies to address this issue.

SourceLancaster University·JournalCommunity Work & Family·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 8, 2024

Black Americans develop mental resilience to discrimination early

A Duke University study found that by adulthood, Black men and women in the U.S. have developed mental resilience to everyday discrimination, including microaggressions, potentially limiting its impact on their mental health. White young adults may lack these coping strategies, making them more psychologically distressing.

SourceDuke University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJul 11, 2024

Family learning environments in Scandinavia: dimensions, types and socioeconomic profiles

Researchers identified four types of family learning environments in Scandinavian families, shaped by parental values and socioeconomic status. The study found that family activities, emotional climate, and everyday organisation play a crucial role in shaping children's learning environments. Four categories were developed: Expansive C...

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalBritish Journal of Sociology of Education·TypeObservational study·DateApr 22, 2024

Do school grades influence parental support?

A recent study by Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research found that parents in low-income families support their children equally regardless of grades. In contrast, parents from higher income groups tend to give more support to children with lower grades. This suggests that these patterns may contribute to low social mobility.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalEuropean Sociological Review·DateMar 15, 2024

Parents, wealth, race drive girls’ chances to play sports

A study by Ohio State University researchers found that socioeconomic status consistently underlies other factors affecting opportunities for girls to participate in sports. Higher family socioeconomic status increased the likelihood of girls playing most sports, while lower-income schools had a negative impact on participation rates.

SourceOhio State University·JournalSociological Focus·DateFeb 29, 2024

How discrimination, class, and gender intersect to affect Black Americans’ well-being

A new study explores how discrimination, gender, and social class intersect to affect Black Americans' personal and relational well-being. Researchers found that racial discrimination and financial strain were associated with lower levels of psychological well-being.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 22, 2024

Netherlands society is split into six social classes with varying proportions of economic, social, cultural and health/attractiveness capital, find Dutch researchers who also note class differences in views and wellbeing

A recent study by Dutch researchers found that Netherlands society is split into six social classes, each with distinct proportions of economic, social, cultural, and health/attractiveness capital. The study highlights class differences in views and wellbeing, providing insights into the country's contemporary social structure.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 31, 2024

Centralized social networks potentially hinder innovation by making decision-making too similar

A study by researchers at the University of Sydney and Stockholm University found that centralized social networks can lead to a culture of homogeneity, where innovative voices are crowded out and traditionalist practices prevail. This can have significant consequences for the environment and global food security.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalPeople and Nature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 24, 2024

Disadvantaged children’s struggles at school have “little to do” with character, attitude or a lack of ‘growth mindset’

A global study of 240,000 students challenges the widespread policy conviction that bridging the academic gap hinges on improving socio-emotional skills. Despite high levels of socio-emotional skills among disadvantaged children, their relative underperformance at school remains largely unchanged.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalSociology of Education·DateDec 18, 2023