32. New Perspectives on Poverty, Inequality, and In-Work Deprivation

Maria Vaalavuo (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)

Zachary Parolin (Bocconi University) 

Selçuk Bedük (University of Oxford) 

Daniel Edmiston (Autonomous University of Barcelona) 

Menno Fenger (Erasmus University Rotterdam) 

Matt Padley (Loughborough University) 

Joris Beek (Erasmus University Rotterdam) 

Juliet Stone (Loughborough University) 

Poverty and income inequality are frequently examined in European social policy research, yet their precise measurement, causes, and consequences remain contested. This stream focuses on advancing our understanding of the measurement, causes, and consequences of poverty and income inequality in Europe. We invite empirical papers that examine the changing relationship between poverty, income inequality and social policy across Europe, and we particularly encourage papers on the dynamics of in-work poverty. We also welcome papers that reflect on the conceptual significance of recent empirical advances and methodological innovations in distributional analyses. By bridging traditional analyses of income inequality with the lived experiences of low-income households, we aim to foster a comprehensive discussion of poverty and inequality. 

On Measurement: We welcome papers that challenge standard measurements of poverty and inequality and reflect on measurement issues for understanding policy effectiveness and impacts. Such papers might capture, for example, the vast heterogeneity of individuals living in poverty, the multidimensionality of poverty and inequality, or strengths and weaknesses of the at-risk-of-poverty measure in identifying the most vulnerable populations. We particularly welcome papers that examine the utility of different measures covering aspects of income, expenditure, material deprivation or subjective indicators. Papers exploring how different measures capture the heterogeneity of low-income households, including those experiencing in-work poverty, are also particularly welcome. 

On Causes and Dynamics: We welcome papers that advance our knowledge on the causes of poverty or income inequality across Europe. We are particularly interested in studies that explore the dynamics of in-work poverty, including how employment status intersects with vulnerability to poverty over time. Comparative analyses that examine the interplay between public policies, labor market conditions, demographic factors, and external shocks are encouraged. 

On Consequences: We invite papers that investigate both the short- and long-term consequences of poverty and inequality, considering economic, social, and psychological dimensions. This includes the lasting effects of childhood poverty, the impact of financial instability on well-being, and how rising inequality affects social cohesion. Contributions that challenge the assumption that employment is a guaranteed route out of poverty, and that examine the persistent struggles of those who are formally "above" poverty thresholds, are particularly valued.