Global Perspectives on Social Mobility: Conversations That Matter

Prof. Jody Agius Vallejo: When Education Is Not Enough

In conversation with Laura Hemrika, Professor Jody Agius Vallejo explored the gap between the promise of the “American Dream” and the reality faced by many immigrant families in the United States. While education remains a key route into the middle class, it does not guarantee financial security. Many first-generation graduates support parents or extended family, often at the expense of savings, homeownership, or retirement. Without inherited wealth or safety nets, upward mobility is fragile—revealing how systemic barriers continue to limit the returns on hard work and education.

Prof. Gautam Bhan: Rethinking Social Protection in the Global South

Speaking with Nathalie Jean Baptiste, Professor Gautam Bhan highlighted how inequality in rapidly growing southern cities is structural, not accidental. Economic growth alone does not ensure shared prosperity when systems are designed to exclude the majority. Prof. Bhan argues for transformative social protection—policies that act as “trampolines,” not just safety nets—combining education, housing, transport, and basic services to enable real mobility. Without new entitlements grounded in dignity and inclusion, growth will continue to bypass those who need it most.

Prof. María Luisa Méndez: Mobility Is Collective, Not Individual

Drawing on a three-year study across Chile, Professor María Luisa Méndez challenged the idea of social mobility as a solo journey. Education opens doors, but success also depends on socio-emotional skills learned through relationships and lived experience. Her research shows clear gender differences: women often frame their mobility through responsibility and reciprocity, seeking to support others along the way. Méndez calls on institutions to value diversity rather than demand assimilation, recognising the strengths that people from different backgrounds bring.

Prof. Mike Savage: Meritocracy Under Strain

In his conversation with Laura Hemrika, Professor Mike Savage examined why belief in meritocracy remains strong—even as faith in its outcomes weakens. While most people still believe effort leads to success, rising wealth inequality and elite gatekeeping are eroding trust in the system. Access to prestigious universities increasingly determines life chances, narrowing opportunity for many young people. Savage urged greater reflection—particularly among the affluent—on shared responsibility and the long-term sustainability of unequal societies.

Prof. María José Álvarez Rivadulla: The Power of Social Networks

At the conference in Chile, Professor María José Álvarez Rivadulla highlighted the often-invisible role of social networks in enabling mobility. Education and effort matter, but so do connections—both close “bonding” ties and broader “bridging” ties across social divides. These relationships provide emotional support, information, and access to opportunities that formal systems alone cannot offer. Sustainable mobility, she argued, is built through community and connection, not individual ambition alone.

Lady Mariéme Jamme: Dignity as the Foundation of Opportunity

Closing the perspective, Lady Mariéme Jamme shared insights from her work with IAM the Code, supporting girls in refugee camps and underserved communities worldwide. Beyond access to technology or content, she emphasised the importance of skills, dignity, and emotional support. Through certification, care, and belief, girls gain not just qualifications but confidence and visibility. For those facing instability and exclusion, being seen and supported is often the first step towards mobility.