Conference on Genes, Social Mobility, and Inequalities across the Life-Course

Scientific organizers: Biroli, Pietro  (U of Zurich) / Esko, Tonu  (U of Tartu) / von Hinke, Stephanie  (U of Bristol) / van Kerm, Philippe  (LISER) / van Kippersluis, Hans  (Erasmus U) / Lefranc, Arnaud  (CY Cergy Paris) / Peichl, Andreas  (LMU Munich) / Trannoy, Alain  (AMSE) / Waldenström, Daniel  (IFN Stockholm)

In the conference ”Genes, Social Mobility, and Inequalities across the Life-Course” we will discuss how genetic endowments and childhood circumstances shape health and socio-economic outcomes of individuals. Furthermore, we will assess the scope for public policy to level the playing field.

Keynote lectures will be delivered by Paige Harden (Professor of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin) and Pia Pinger (Professor of Economics, University of Cologne).

In addition to scientific presentations by junior and senior researchers from various countries, two panel discussions will build a bridge between academic research and policymaking.

In the panel session “Social Mobility and Equality of Opportunity: An International Comparison”, we will discuss international evidence on social mobility in different countries, as well as the relevance of different policy areas to level the playing field.

Panelists:

• Dr. Monika Queisser, Head of Social Policy Division OECD
• Prof. Alain Trannoy, Aix-Marseille School of Economics

In the panel session “Equality of Opportunity: A Conversation on the Role of Socioeconomic and Genetic Factors”, we will discuss the ethics and implications of increasingly available genetic data for policies that seek to achieve equality of opportunity in education and labor market outcomes.

Panelists:

• Manuel Buitenhuis, Ministry of Social Affairs, The Netherlands
• Dr. Antonie Knigge, Utrecht University
• Dr. Marc van der Steeg, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, The Netherlands
• Prof. Peter Schaber, University of Zurich
• Dr. Maria Zumbuehl, Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis

This workshop is funded by the New Opportunities for Research Funding Agency Cooperation in Europe (NORFACE) through the projects GEIGHEI and IMCHILD.