Ohio State’s Department of Sociology is nationally recognized as a leader in the study of social inequality and mobility — ranked among the top 10 sociology departments in the United States for its research on social stratification. 

Our faculty are at the forefront of uncovering how social, economic, and educational systems shape opportunity, and how those opportunities can be expanded to create a more equitable society. 

At its core, this work is about understanding who advances, who lags behind, and why. 

Through innovative research, community partnerships, and interdisciplinary collaboration, our scholars generate insights that inform public policy, guide institutions, and improve lives across Ohio and the nation.

A Tradition of Excellence and Impact

From classrooms to communities, our faculty investigates the structural forces that shape inequality and the pathways that promote mobility.

Their work connects to our department’s other strengths in Demography and Criminology, forming a comprehensive approach to understanding social life. 

Current projects examine the barriers faced by first generation college students, insecurity in the workplace and occupations, the role of public education in reducing disparities, and how community investment and resources promote health and well-being.

Faculty Research Spotlights

Inequality at College:

Faculty members, including Dr. Roscigno, Dr. Johnson, and Dr. Huang, are advancing our understanding of inequality in higher education.

• Dr. Roscigno’s research follows first generation college students through graduate school, highlighting barriers and supports that shape success. 
   
• Dr. Johnson’s work uncovers how peer collaboration can unintentionally reinforce inequality, and Dr. Huang studies how college admissions essays reveal privilege in subtle ways. 
   

Inequality and Insecurity at Work:

• Dr. Lopez investigates downward mobility and job insecurity, especially among formerly incarcerated populations.
   
• Dr. Dwyer’s research examines the causes and consequences of unequal employment growth through the study of housing disparities, neighborhood disadvantage, and wealth and debt inequalities, while Dr. Roscigno explores discrimination and disparities in workplace outcomes, as well as the role of bureaucracy in both reducing and exacerbating inequality at work. 
   
• Dr. Combs’s research examines how people understand and assign meaning to occupations, and how these shared (and sometimes contested) meanings shape social inequality and well-being. 
   
• Dr. Ekl studies how status hierarchies and professional boundaries within medicine shape inequality among healthcare workers and patients.
   

Urban and Neighborhood Inequality:

Faculty members, including Drs. Agbai, Colen, Dahir, Dwyer, and Roscigno, examine how neighborhood environments shape opportunity, health, and well-being. 

• Dr. Browning leads the Adolescent Health and Development in Context study, analyzing how local conditions influence youth development and inequality.
   

How Schools Matter:

• Dr. Downey shows that inequalities in test scores often grow more outside of school than within it, emphasizing the importance of family and community context for shaping educational inequalities. 
   
• Drs. Johnson and Roscigno study how differences within and between schools perpetuate or mitigate inequalities associated with gender, race, and class.
   

The Double-Edged Sword of Credit and Debt: 

Dr. Dwyer examines how access to credit can both enable mobility and deepen disadvantages, while Dr. Agbai studies how policies like the GI Bill shaped racial wealth gaps, showing how government programs can expand or constrain opportunities.
 

Social Networks, Status, and Inequality:

• Dr. Melamed examines how social hierarchies form and persist within networks, shaping inequality and opportunity. 
   
  • His research reveals how patterns of cooperation, bias, and group boundaries determine who gains access to social and economic resources, demonstrating how everyday interactions can reproduce or reduce inequality.

Investing in Social Science for the Public Good

Research on inequality and mobility doesn’t just advance scholarship; it changes lives. 

Ohio State sociologists provide evidence that informs education policy, labor law, and urban planning. 

Their work builds more inclusive schools, fairer workplaces, and healthier communities. 

By supporting the Department of Sociology, donors can fund student research and community projects, support faculty innovation, advance equity initiatives, and train the next generation of scholars dedicated to reducing inequality.

Donate to the department