Structural Inequalities Research Articles

Changing Geographies of Segregation in the US Care Sector: An Intersectional View on Low-Wage Care Workers

Recent literature highlights longstanding structural inequalities in the US care economy, particularly along gender, racial, and ethnic lines. However, limited attention has been paid to the role of geography in structuring these disparities. This paper addresses this gap by descriptively analyzing of occupational segregation in the US low-wage care sector across commuting zones from 1980 to 2020. Our findings show that women are still more likely than men to work in low-wage care occupations. Moreover, local racial and ethnic composition plays a key role in determining who performs low-wage care work, with racialized women persistently overrepresented in low-wage care employment both nationally and regionally. While there is significant regional variation in occupational segregation, there is evidence of convergence in recent decades. Finally, using group-based trajectory modeling, we identify distinct regional trajectories in the evolution of occupational segregation in the low-wage care sector, demonstrating that national averages mask underlying regional trends.

Examining the Prevalence and Effects of Gender-based Violence in Academic Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses.

Gender-based violence (GBV) in the academic job sector is a critical issue that intersects with broader systemic and structural inequities, but research is limited. To study the prevalence, effects, and prevention measures of interpersonal GBV within the academic job sector, a meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis protocol. Rigorous searches were conducted across the databases PubMed, OVID, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL, using specific keywords related to GBV, workplace, and virtual work environments, identifying papers published between January 2013 and February 2023. Studies were evaluated based on the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes framework. Data from papers were extracted and grouped by reported instances, and prevalence data for interpersonal GBV were reported in university settings, including in-person, hybrid, and virtual environments, and among men, women, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. A random effects meta-analysis of proportions was conducted to evaluate the reported point prevalence rates of interpersonal GBV in academia between 2012 and 2015. Subgroup analyses were performed for university staff only, females only, and males only. Out of the 1,290 records, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The types of violence identified include sexual harassment, workplace bullying and online harassment, which affects career advancement, and employee well-being. The meta-analyses, conducted with a 95% confidence interval [CI], identified that 51.4% (95% CI [39.9%, 63.0%]) of university staff members experience GBV, with females, 59.3% [38.1%, 80.5%], experiencing greater rates than males, 44% [28.1%, 44.1%]. The findings underscore the need for institutional interventions to address interpersonal GBV in academic workplaces.

‘They don’t even teach you how to make money!’ What insights can marginalised young people provide into developing inclusive education policy?

Using data from a qualitative study exploring the intersections of school exclusion, mental health, and involvement in criminal behaviour, we explore young people’s experience of schools to inform consideration of how schools might be modified to help improve mental health and engagement, and take a more proactive role in safeguarding young people from contextual risks. We draw on sociological theories considering how inequity and disadvantage may be reproduced. Poor experiences of school create disengagement, perpetuate deep structural inequalities, and can act as a motivating force to gain status and money through the illicit economy. Broadening the focus in schools, away from the narrow pursuit of academia, to include more group-based and project-based learning; placing greater priority on life skills and vocational training; and focussing more on developing a sense of belonging through sports and arts may benefit all students, particularly those most at risk of exclusion. If the education system is to build stronger engagement with the most marginalised students, it must actively support them to achieve their priority to find (legitimate) means of earning money.

Structural inequality and the protectorate of discrimination law

This article asks whether discrimination law should be symmetrical: whether it should offer the same level of protection to dominant and dominated groups. It articulates a structural inequality theory of the moral foundations of discrimination law and defends it against prominent alternatives, such as the view that discrimination is wrong because it is irrational or disrespectful. The paper then argues that while direct discrimination is symmetrical, indirect discrimination is asymmetrical. It cannot be claimed by those – men, or white persons – who are not at the sharp end of structural inequality. Furthermore, even dominated groups cannot claim to be indirectly discriminated against by just any law that has a disparate impact on them. If the structural inequality view is correct, the protectorate of discrimination law is not as extensive as is commonly assumed.

Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health Among Vulnerable Groups: A Systematic Literature Review

Objective: This study aims to explore the impact of climate change on mental health among vulnerable groups, including low-income populations, Indigenous communities, children, women, and the elderly, to highlight their unique vulnerabilities and mental health outcomes. This aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), addressing the need for climate resilience and mental health equity. Theoretical Framework: The research is grounded in social vulnerability theory, emphasizing how structural inequalities exacerbate the impact of climate change on mental health. The framework integrates psychological theories of eco-anxiety and solastalgia, which explain the mental distress caused by environmental changes. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. This involved a comprehensive search of academic databases, screening studies, and qualitatively synthesizing data from 35 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2023. Results and Discussion: Findings reveal that climate change exacerbates mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD among vulnerable groups due to their limited adaptive capacity and exposure to climate-related hazards. Vulnerable communities, including Indigenous groups and low-income populations, experience heightened psychological impacts such as eco-anxiety and solastalgia. The results underscore the importance of integrating mental health considerations into climate adaptation policies and developing targeted interventions to enhance resilience among these populations. This study also supports global efforts toward achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Research Implication: The study suggests the need for comprehensive and equitable mental health strategies that prioritize vulnerable groups in climate change adaptation planning. Policymakers must consider social equity and community-based approaches to mitigate the mental health impacts of climate change. Originality/Value: This review uniquely addresses the intersection of climate change and mental health within marginalized populations, emphasizing the need for mental health integration in climate adaptation frameworks. The study highlights the underexplored psychological dimensions of climate change, providing valuable insights for developing inclusive and sustainable adaptation strategies. sustainability

“Vacunas”: Permanence of Crime in The New Dynamics of Violence and Post-Agreement in Colombia

Objective: This study aims to explore the criminal dynamics and socioeconomic implications of extortion, specifically the "vacuna" (protection payment) phenomenon, in Colombia. It seeks to understand how this practice contributes to the persistence of crime and violence, and how victims manage and cope with this form of violence. Theoretical Frmework: The literature review is based on the theory of psychological coercion, where the threat and intimidation through force are used as a means of social control, as well as the economics of crime, which proposes that criminality is a rational act aimed at maximizing benefits for offenders. Finally, the theory of the state and security explains how the absence of the state in Colombia allows criminal groups to assume roles of "protection." Method: A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured and unstructured interviews with merchants and business owners in the Department of Santander, Colombia. The study focuses on a narrative approach, allowing victims to express their experiences with extortion. This method aims to capture the diversity of perspectives and coping practices in response to the crime. Results and Discussion: The results reveal that extortion persists as a common practice due to weak state presence and the transformation of criminal actors. It was observed that victims, both individually and collectively, develop diverse strategies to confront extortion. The study also identifies the perpetrators, although in many cases, victims are unable or unwilling to directly point out their aggressors due to fear of reprisals. Research Implications: The findings suggest the need to rethink public policies focused on security and wealth distribution in Colombia. Strengthening state presence in regions most affected by violence and improving protection mechanisms for extortion victims is crucial. Originality/Value: This study provides a detailed and contextualized analysis of a criminal practice that has been underrepresented in academic literature. By focusing on the voices and experiences of the victims, it offers new insights into the dynamics of power and violence in Colombia, highlighting the importance of addressing structural inequalities to mitigate crime and violence.

Advancing inclusive practices in higher education: possibilities and limitations of a social justice professional development course

ABSTRACT Research on widening the participation of historically underrepresented university students tends to focus on student preparation and the structural adjustments needed to attract and retain them. Few studies have examined how to prepare university staff for the diversity of students that comes with such widening participation programmes. This paper contributes to this gap by discussing the impact that a professional development course on practising inclusion in higher education had on academic and professional staff participants’ understanding of equitable and inclusive practices. Using interview data, we found that participants developed a more nuanced and sensitive practice and greater confidence to act for change as they acquired new skills and knowledge associated with social inclusion practices, reflected on their professional identity changes, and gained critical insights into their roles. These findings support the need for this type of professional development to prepare all higher education staff to genuinely support university students from underrepresented groups. They also highlight the need for these professional development offerings to foster greater reflexivity about taken-for-granted assumptions, a deeper understanding of structural power and inequity in higher education, and higher education staff members’ capacity to enact change within these structures.

Everyday Constructions of Class-Based Inequality: Field Effects in UK Museum Work

This article contributes to our understanding of how occupational contexts shape everyday constructions of class-based inequality. Using Bourdieu’s concept of field, and UK museum work as a case, we analyse interview, focus group and secondary data. We show how those with a stake in museum work construct three versions of class-based inequality: (1) between individuals; (2) between positions; and (3) between institution and worker. The museum field provides a familiar space that can aid ‘recognition’ of inequality between individuals. Conversely the field generates a logic – here, keeping collections special – which can legitimate structural inequality between positions. It also facilitates a game-playing dynamic that leads to a ‘pragmatic acceptance’ and reinforcement of inequality between institution and worker. Visibility of class-based inequality is shaped by misdirection rather than misrecognition, as well as one’s position in the hierarchy.

Health-seeking dynamics and uptake of ethnomedical therapies for chronic pain among people who use drugs in Nigeria

This study explored health-seeking practices and utilization of ethnomedical therapies for chronic pain management among people who use drugs (PWUD) in Nigeria. Data were generated through in-depth interviews with PWUD who lived with chronic pain (n = 26). Participants were recruited through snowball sampling in Uyo, Nigeria. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed thematically. Participants reported challenges with biomedical pain management, including a lack of cure for pain and low adherence to medications due to financial constraints and restrictions on dispensing of pharmaceutical opioids. These challenges contributed to inadequate biomedical management of chronic pain and encouraged utilization of herbal remedies, including those originating from other ethno-linguistic settings. While some preferred herbal remedies to biomedical care, others used these remedies due to inability to access biomedical pain management. Further, while some found herbal remedies to be helpful in relieving pain, others experienced adverse reactions and sought emergency medical services for this reason. As a result, they disavowed ethnomedical therapies and reaffirmed trust in biomedicine. Participants choose between biomedicine and ethnomedical therapies in managing chronic pain, and these choices were often shaped by structural inequality and the wider context of medical pluralism. Findings indicate a need to promote diversity and choice in healthcare and ensure access to safe, equitable and culturally-appropriate care through health insurance coverage and formal regulation of ethnomedical providers.

An investigation of the impact of ‘Living with COVID’ on workplace COVID-19 transmission risk, response and resilience - lessons learnt and future challenges

BackgroundPrevious research has highlighted links between occupation and risk of COVID-19 transmission and suggests that occupational risk is influenced by covariates including socio-economic status, and deprivation. This study examined the perspectives of local authority teams of how changes in policy and advice, as set out in the UK government report ‘Living with COVID,’ affected COVID-19 transmission risk, response and resilience in workplace settings in Greater Manchester, an area that was disproportionately affected by the pandemic.MethodsThe project, which took place between August and November 2022, undertook a mixed methods approach to incorporate wide-ranging reflections of changes following the publication of ‘Living with COVID’. Quantitative data was collected from local employers (n = 149) and employees (n = 397) using online surveys, and qualitative interview data was collected from Greater Manchester local authority teams (n = 19).ResultsThe research highlighted the inequitable impact of the pandemic on those already experiencing health inequalities, including people on more precarious employment contracts or those who were unable to work from home during the pandemic.The study found that the facilitators that helped local authorities to support employers to manage transmission included clear, detailed and timely national and local guidance, good communication, partnership working, funding, and timely access to data. Barriers to supporting employers included contradictory or confusing national guidance, structural inequalities, lack of funding, and delayed access to data. Interview participants reported that they were now utilising lessons learnt during the pandemic, along with the that partnerships developed, in order to tackle wider health issues and to prepare for future pandemics or health crises.ConclusionThe findings of the study, which concur with previously published research conducted as part of the PROTECT project, highlight the importance of active reflection on the lessons learned during the course of the pandemic. The study draws on PH and EH teams’ perspectives of managing COVID-19 transmission, in an area that was disproportionately affected by the pandemic, in order to add to our understanding of the best ways to ensure preparedness for future pandemics or health crises at a national level.

Re-framing Pacific education, teacher knowledge and practice: innovations from within Aotearoa New Zealand

ABSTRACT In many countries including Aotearoa New Zealand, rapidly changing population demographics have led to increasing cultural diversity in classrooms. Developing equitable outcomes for diverse learners including those from indigenous and migrant heritage requires educators to both respect cultural diversity and enact intercultural understanding and capability. This has implications for both pre-service and in-service teacher education and more broadly educational policy. In this article, we draw on examples from New Zealand of shifts in Pacific education policy and practice related to teacher education. We track policy development over the past three decades that originated from concerns about inequity for Pacific students in schooling to more recent policy initiatives that engage deeply with Pacific learners, families, and communities. We illustrate the shifts in educational policy and teacher education by using three cases of the Pacific led initiatives to exemplify the reframing of Pacific education, teacher knowledge, and practice, by listening to and privileging the voices of Pacific people. We argue that to address equitable education for diverse student communities, teacher education needs explicitly to recognise and acknowledge structural inequities and racism inherent in education systems while providing opportunities for reflection and deep learning about differing knowledge systems and ways of being.

Meritocracy seen through the eyes of its champions: a comparative study of educational elites

This paper explores the way in which elite students from Germany and Romania understand the role of talent, effort, and structural factors in shaping educational success and failure. The image of a successful student aligns with the requirements of the selection processes, with Romanian students emphasising effort, and German students projecting an image of effortless achievement. Although most students acknowledged structural inequalities played into the selection processes, they did not seem to doubt the intelligence and skills of those who were selected to the most prestigious tracks and streams. By exploring the way in which students at prestigious universities talk about success and failure, this paper captures some ways in which they resist reproducing meritocratic discourses, and other ways in which they perpetuate the myth of meritocracy.

NEXUS BETWEEN THE ABSENCE OF A SOCIAL COMPACT, SOCIETAL POLARIZATION AND ITS IMPACT ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

South Africa, a nation marked by profound disparities, is deeply entrenched in the painful historical legacies of its past. The discourse on socio-economic transformation has been ongoing since the African National Congress (ANC) came into power in 1994, aiming to foster a social compact and reconcile the polarized society. Despite these efforts, black communities continue to face discrimination in service delivery. Daily reports of protests in impoverished, predominantly black communities emphasize the absence of a social compact in South Africa. This paper, primarily conceptual in nature and relying on secondary data, seeks to explore the nexus between the absence of a social compact, societal polarization, and its impact on service delivery in South African local government. It contends that addressing issues of poor service delivery, public protests and anti-government sentiment must start with acknowledging the absence of a social compact. This recognition should serve as the foundation for pursuing new paradigms for effective development and good governance practices at the local government level. The findings of this study suggest that the absence of a social compact is not only a result of human actions but also reflects structural issues. This absence exacerbates societal divisions, erodes trust in governance structures and hampers collaborative efforts crucial for effective service provision. Furthermore, societal polarization compounds challenges related to resource allocation and perpetuates disparities in service access, particularly impacting marginalized communities. In conclusion, the paper proposes policy recommendations aimed at fostering social cohesion, addressing structural inequalities, and promoting inclusive governance practices.

Behind the screen: The perception–reality gap in cybersexual harassment between remote coworkers

This study examines the perception–reality gap regarding the influence of technological affordances on cybersexual harassment (CSH) between remote workers. While previous research has recognized the existence of gender stereotypes and discrimination in online spaces, little attention has been given to how technological affordances impact—or are perceived to impact—incidents of CSH. By employing a theoretical framework of technological affordances, this study reveals that users often perceive affordances differently from how they utilize them, indicating a misalignment between perception and behavior. Our analysis of interviews with 30 remote knowledge workers extends affordances theory by showing that affordances are not always applied in the ways they are perceived, and that power dynamics and structural inequalities outweigh technological affordances in shaping reporting behaviors. Addressing this perception–reality gap is crucial for developing interventions and policies that accurately reflect the realities of CSH experiences and promote a safe online work environment.

‘You Can’t Sacrifice Nothing’: Exploring the Lived Realities of Chronic Poverty in a Cost-of-Living Crisis Through Participatory Research

The current portrayal of the cost-of-living crisis as an isolated, unexpected issue neglects the ongoing struggles of those in chronic poverty. This article utilises agnotology and zemiology to explore these overlooked experiences. Through the use of participatory research, the article reveals the state’s neglect of chronic poverty amid public discourse on the cost-of-living crisis, and critiques proposed solutions that demand further sacrifices from those already suffering. The article highlights the lack of accountability for neoliberal policies that exacerbate poverty and vulnerability. It exposes the institutional violence and stigma against the structurally vulnerable, whose hardships are normalised. Through a zemiological and agnotological lens, the article stresses the need to reframe the cost-of-living crisis by acknowledging chronic harm and amplifying the voices of those experiencing entrenched poverty. This reframing is crucial, not only during times of crisis, but also within the broader context of systemic structural inequality.

Bioarchaeological Approaches to African Diasporas in the Twenty-First Century: Intercontinental and Global Legacies of Displacement

ABSTRACT Bioarchaeological research offers a window into health and life experiences in the past, including the biocultural dimensions of social identities and structural inequalities experienced by enslaved and free Afro-descendants across the African diaspora. Given the long history of descendant communities and advocates contesting the authority of institutions to curate human remains in perpetuity, critical dialogues over the past several decades have stimulated new directions in the discipline of African diaspora bioarchaeology alongside increased engagement with Black scholarship and community and client-based collaborations. We build upon previous discussions and critiques to examine the current state of African diaspora bioarchaeology in global context in the early decades of the twenty-first century. We present a macro-level, chronological examination of published African diaspora and colonial African bioarchaeological research by region between 2001 and 2023 and conclude with a discussion of the current state of practices and engagement in the field and ethics of care.

In between the neoliberal reality and the humanities imagination: a narrative inquiry of an English major’s identity construction in China

ABSTRACT This study reports an ethnographic case study of a Chinese female English major of a working-class background – Faye (pseudonym) and her English learning and use experience in an elite community in the Chinese context. Drawing on the data collected from a 13-month longitudinal inquiry, the study employs Darvin and Norton’s [2015. ‘Identity and a Model of Investment in Applied Linguistics.’ Annual Review of Applied Linguistics 35:36–56. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0267190514000191] model of investment to explore her identity transformation through English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) practices. Findings suggest that Faye’s investment in EFL practices appeared to transform with her evolving perceptions of EFL learning and imagined identities, which were shaped largely under the influence of neoliberal and humanities discourses. The study argues for a critical interrogation of the impact of neoliberalism on EFL learning and humanities education, cautioning against its tendency to constrain identity potentials and sustain structural inequalities. Pedagogical implications are suggested at the end of the article.

Structural inequality and temporal brain dynamics across diverse samples.

Structural income inequality - the uneven income distribution across regions or countries - could affect brain structure and function, beyond individual differences. However, the impact of structural income inequality on the brain dynamics and the roles of demographics and cognition in these associations remains unexplored. Here, we assessed the impact of structural income inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient on multiple EEG metrics, while considering the subject-level effects of demographic (age, sex, education) and cognitive factors. Resting-state EEG signals were collected from a diverse sample (countries=10; healthy individuals=1394 from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Turkey and United Kingdom). Complexity (fractal dimension, permutation entropy, Wiener entropy, spectral structure variability), power spectral and aperiodic components (1/f slope, knee, offset), as well as graph-theoretic measures were analysed. Despite variability in samples, data collection methods, and EEG acquisition parameters, structural inequality systematically predicted electrophysiological brain dynamics, proving to be a more crucial determinant of brain dynamics than individual-level factors. Complexity and aperiodic activity metrics captured better the effects of structural inequality on brain function. Following inequality, age and cognition emerged as the most influential predictors. The overall results provided convergent multimodal metrics of biologic embedding of structural income inequality characterised by less complex signals, increased random asynchronous neural activity, and reduced alpha and beta power, particularly over temporoposterior regions. These findings might challenge conventional neuroscience approaches that tend to overemphasise the influence of individual-level factors, while neglecting structural factors. Results pave the way for neuroscience-informed public policies aimed at tackling structural inequalities in diverse populations.

Refugees’ employment: Adapting a structural inequality framework for multinational corporations

Multinational corporations (MNCs), through action or inaction, directly and indirectly shape vertical, horizontal, or internal structural inequalities in labour markets. The refugee employment literature has given scant attention to the role of MNCs, and how these corporations can or do contribute to achieving equality in employment outcomes for diverse social groups such as refugees. In this paper, we explore how MNCs seek to address challenges associated with structural inequalities to achieve greater equality in employment outcomes for refugees. To do so, we draw on the refugee employment literature, industry evidence, and business reports. Our findings reveal that MNCs require global and national-level responses to address structural inequalities associated with vertical, horizontal, or internal inequalities. We synthesise these inequalities into a conceptual framework and illustrate the need for MNCs to balance standardisation vs localisation strategies in human resource and diversity management, sourcing and supply chain management, corporate social responsibility, marketing and branding, and external engagement. Such MNC strategies contribute to refugees’ ability to navigate structural factors that create employment inequalities.

Equity as a priority in EAT-Lancet-aligned food system transformations.

Food systems drive human and environmental change, reflect diverse cultural and ecological contexts, and, in their diversity, can bolster nutrition and planetary health. Ignoring structural inequities in food system transformations risks offsetting potential gains. We summarize current evidence on the context-dependent implications of EAT-Lancet goals and propose six priority areas to guide equitable food system transformations, targeting food and nutrition security, just sustainability and cultural diversity. Priority areas-namely, diverse and nutritious food access, food industry regulation, climate-resilient food production, localized, small-scale food systems, cultural diversity and social well-being-can be achieved through public, private and civil society action.