Purpose and Activities

Our purpose

The RC28 Foundation is dedicated to advancing high-quality scientific research on social stratification and mobility. We support the efforts of RC28 (Research Committee 28 on Social Stratification), which is the 28th Research Committee established under the International Sociological Association specializing in the research of social stratification. The means of achieving the objectives include the following: organize with the RC28 local hosts international conferences at academic institutions worldwide where stratification researchers come together to exchange ideas and collaborate on the joint project and recruit members at the conferences; organize sessions with the RC28 at the International Sociological Association World Congresses of Sociology; present travel grants and the significant scholarship awards; and any other activities that promote the objectives of the organization. 

Activities overview  

(1) International Conferences on Social Stratification

• Bi-Annual Conferences: Hosted in collaboration with RC28 local hosts, these events are pivotal for sharing new research, fostering comparative studies, and enhancing international cooperation in the field of social stratification.

• Participation and Outreach: Open to both graduate students and seasoned researchers, these conferences encourage vibrant discussions, feedback, and the development of innovative research questions. We promote these events through the RC28 newsletter and other academic mailing lists.

• Conference Planning and Selection: Proposals for conferences are evaluated by the RC28 board, with final approvals managed by the RC28 Foundation board. Selected local organizers, supported by their institutions, oversee the conference programming.

• Logistics: Conference locations alternate annually, based on proposals, between venues outside the U.S. (spring) and within the U.S. (summer), with fees set around $250-$300 to cover venue costs.

(2) Sessions at the ISA World Congresses of Sociology

• Quadrennial ISA World Congress: Our organization assists in organizing sessions focused on social stratification research during these significant international gatherings (for the scedule, see here).

• Engagement and Dissemination: These sessions are aimed at sociologists and sociology students worldwide, providing a platform for presenting work and engaging in discussions. Information is shared through ISA channels and our own dissemination efforts.

• Administration and Fees: The ISA program committee oversees the conference program, with fees ranging from $250 to $400, paid directly to the ISA.

(3) Travel Grants and Scholarship Awards

• Financial Support: We offer five travel grants ($1,200 each) at each conference to assist graduate students and members with special needs, in addition to a significant annual scholarship award ($1,000) recognizing outstanding contributions to the field.

• Selection Process: Travel grant recipients are chosen by local conference organizers with our organization's support and approval. The significant scholarship award recipient is selected by the RC28 board from member nominations.

(4) Other Promotional Activities

• Research and Publication Support: Our organization backs the Research on Social Stratification and Mobility (RSSM) journal, publishing high-quality papers in the field. We may also organize online workshops and meetings to further promote research and discussion on social stratification.

• Online Engagement: These activities, administered by our board members, aim to foster exchanges among researchers and extend the reach of social stratification research through digital platforms.