Social, Political and Economic Inequality (SPEI)

Overview

<p>The severe consequences of the Covid19-pandemic, including its economic disruptions, and the recent mass protests to combat systemic racial inequality in policing and other institutions have reaffirmed the importance of social science research examining economic, political, racial, ethnic, generational, and social inequalities relevant to public policy and social change. RSF encourages proposals that analyze any of these issues on topics of interest under our Social, Political and Economic Inequality program. To view Covid-19 Priorities, visit <a href="https://www.russellsage.org/research/funding/covid-19-pandemic">https:/…; <p>The Russell Sage Foundation’s program on Social, Political, and Economic Inequality supports innovative research on the factors that contribute to social, political and economic inequalities in the U.S., and the extent to which those inequalities affect social, psychological, political, and economic outcomes, including educational access, job opportunities, social mobility, civic participation and representation, and the transmission of advantage and disadvantage within and across generations.</p> <p>We seek innovative investigator-initiated research that will expand our understanding of social, political, and economic inequalities and the mechanisms by which they influence the lives of individuals and families. We welcome projects that explore the relevance of economic, racial, ethnic, age, gender, immigration, residence, or other statuses for the distribution of social, political and economic outcomes within and across these groups.</p> <p>RSF is particularly interested in analyses that make use of newly available data or demonstrate novel uses of existing data. We also support original data collection when a project is focused on important program priorities. Proposals to conduct field experiments, in-depth qualitative interviews, and ethnographies are also encouraged.</p> <p>RSF encourages methodological variety and inter-disciplinary collaboration. Proposed projects must have well-developed conceptual frameworks and research designs. Analytical models must be well-specified and research questions and hypotheses must be clearly stated.</p> <p>The kinds of questions that are of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:<br>-Economic Wellbeing, Equality of Opportunity, and Intergenerational Mobility<br>-Political Institutions and the Policy Process<br>-Psychological and/or Cultural Changes<br>-Educational Attainment<br>-Work, Labor Markets and Occupations<br>-Children and Families<br>-Neighborhoods and Communities<br>-Criminal Justice & the Legal System</p> <p>________________________<br>RSF is especially interested in research on the social, political, economic, and psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic (<a href="https://www.russellsage.org/research/funding/covid-19-pandemic">https:/…;). RSF will also accept LOIs relevant to any of its core programs that address at least one of the following issues:<br>1. Research on the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting recession in the U.S. Specifically, research that assesses the social, political, economic, and psychological causes and consequences of the pandemic, especially its effects on marginalized individuals and groups and on trust in government and other institutions. Our priorities do not include analyses of health outcomes or health behaviors. RSF seldom supports studies focused on outcomes such as educational processes or curricular issues, but does prioritize analyses of inequities in educational attainment or student performance. <br>2. Research focused on systemic racial inequality and/or the recent mass protests in the U.S. Specifically, research that investigates the prevalence of racial disparities in policing and criminal justice and their social, political, economic, and psychological causes and consequences; the effects of the current social protest movement and mass mobilization against systemic discrimination; the nature of public attitudes and public policies regarding policing, criminal justice, and social welfare; and the effects of those attitudes in the current political environment.</p> <p>RSF will accept research proposals related to the effects of the pandemic in all programs and special initiatives: Behavioral Economics; Decision Making and Human Behavior in Context; Future of Work; Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration; Social, Political, and Economic Inequality. The following topics include research issues of interest to our core programs but do not comprise an exhaustive list.<br>- Effects on the Economy, Workers and Inequalities<br>- Effects on Politics and Political Behavior<br>- Effects on Immigrants and Racial and Ethnic Minorities<br>- The Social Fabric and Psychological Effects</p>