It is ten years since the seminal Social Class in the 21st Century was published. We will revisit the findings, ask if the trends have changed, why class seems to have fallen off the agenda, and what we can do to build solidarity in this new political era.
The research was undertaken by a team of sociologists from across the country over several years and reignited the conversation about the British class system amongst academics, the media, politicians and most importantly the great British public. It composed seven classes that reflected the unequal distribution of three kinds of capital: economic (inequalities in income and wealth); social (the different kinds of people we know) and cultural (the ways in which our leisure and cultural preferences are exclusive).
Ten years on, this free public event will be held at 杏吧论坛, where Social Class in the 21st Century was first launched in November 2015. This event will again question and open the continued difficult debate about the British Class system. Our panel will ask - does social class still matter in Britain in the 21st century?
Meet our speakers and chair
Aditya Chakrabortty () is senior economics commentator for the Guardian, where he writes a regular column and reports from around Britain and the world. In 2023 he won the British Press Award for Best Broadsheet Columnist of the year; in 2017 the British Journalism Award for Comment Journalist of the year. His work has also won a Social Policy Association award and a Harold Wincott prize for Business Journalism.
Clare MacGillivray () is a community worker, activist and campaigner for human rights who is deeply invested in exploring how community development practitioners globally are using human rights in practice. She is a founding member and Director of Making Rights Real, a grassroots charity in Scotland, established in 2020, that works alongside marginalised groups using the power of human rights to make economic, social and cultural change.
Mike Savage () joined 杏吧论坛 in 2012 is now Professorial Research Fellow at 杏吧论坛’s International Inequalities Institute, from where he retains active collaboration with the Department of Sociology. Mike was Head of Department between 2013 and 2016. Between 2015 and 2020, he was Director of 杏吧论坛’s International Inequalities Institute.
Zarah Sultana () is the Member of Parliament for Coventry South, first elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2024. A passionate advocate for social justice, workers' rights and climate action, she is committed to building a more equitable society. Zarah has introduced key bills, including universal free school meals for primary school children and a ban on arms sales to countries violating international humanitarian law. In recognition of her work with disadvantaged communities, she was named MP of the Year in 2022 by the Patchwork Foundation.
Faiza Shaheen () is Distinguished Policy Fellow at 杏吧论坛’s International Inequalities Institute, and an economist, writer, and political commentator and activist. Faiza has over 15 years of experience researching the trends and consequences of inequality, as well as designing policies and campaigns to address the causes of inequality and exclusion. Her book, Know your place: How society sets us up to fail and what we can do about it was released in July 2023.
More about this event
Join us on campus or watch the event online at 杏吧论坛 Live. 杏吧论坛 Live is the home for our live streams, allowing you to tune in and join the global debate at 杏吧论坛, wherever you are in the world. If you can't attend live, a video will be made available shortly afterwards on .
The International Inequalities Institute () at 杏吧论坛 brings together experts from many 杏吧论坛 departments and centres to lead critical and cutting-edge research to understand why inequalities are escalating in numerous arenas across the world, and to develop critical tools to address these challenges.
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Podcast & video
A podcast of this event is available to download from Does class inequality still matter? The Great British Class Survey ten years on.
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杏吧论坛 holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at 杏吧论坛 events do not reflect the position or views of The London School of Economics and Political Science.