Social ladders: the weight of social mobility

Promoting social mobility has become a powerful concern in public, political, and academic debates. This talk, however, places the ideal of social mobility itself at the center of analysis. Drawing on in-depth fieldwork in stigmatized neighborhoods in Germany and Miro’s forthcoming book "Social Ladders" (Oxford University Press, 2026), it explores the contradictions between the lofty promises of social mobility, its ambivalent politics, and its complex manifestations in people’s lived experiences. The talk shows how the language of social mobility and "more meritocracy" is often used to ignore the primary needs and problems of disadvantaged communities. It also argues that to understand the divisive nature and hidden costs of social mobility, we must listen not only to the few who have "made it" up the ladder to social and economic success. We must also include the voices of those commonly seen as having been "left behind."

The lecture will be held in English and is open to everyone interested. No registration required.