The RC19 annual conference brings together international scholars in the fields of comparative welfare state and social policy studies, encompassing a range of disciplines such as sociology, social policy, political science, and economics. RC19 conference sessions are organized to reflect the specific conference theme, as well as to discuss ongoing research projects of RC19 members.

Theme

Income inequality has been increasing in advanced industrial societies and parts of the Global South. In Latin America, it declined in the first decade and a half of the 21st century, but that decline has slowed and is in danger of being arrested. Income inequality is related to other dimensions of inequality, most notably gender, race, ethnicity, migration status, all of which profoundly affect the life chance of individuals. Through comparisons of regional and countryspecific experiences we hope to shed light on the causes and consequences of these dimensions of inequality and their interactions. We also hope to identify best practices in policy responses. In engaging these comparisons, we shall continue the North-South dialogue that was a key theme in the very successful conference in Costa Rica.

Beyond this general theme, as in previous RC19 annual conferences, members are also encouraged to submit paper proposals presenting their ongoing social policy research, reflecting the diversity of the scholarship undertaken by RC19 members.