Advanced industrial societies have become increasingly characterized by two trends: growing inequality and an increasing recognition gap. As the distribution of wealth and income have grown more unequal, a growing number of groups are making claims for recognition as the poor, workers, immigrants, Muslims, LGBTQ people, and various ethnoracial and religious minority groups experience stigmatization. This double tension will serve as a fruitful point of entry for future multidisciplinary inquiries into the conditions for collective well-being.

A major challenge for contemporary societies is to extend cultural membership to the greatest number. Thus we need to gain a better understanding of the social and cultural processes behind the recognition gap and inequality. How can social scientists and policy makers better understand and respond to these trends, and how can we make societies more inclusive?

Finding responses to the timely questions related to inequality and the recognition gap requires drawing on expertise from many disciplines. Our research cluster will connect visitors with a broad range of WCFIA affiliates and colleagues across several departments to collaborate in workshops, conferences, and research projects.