Research at the Social Policy unit includes investigating explanations for the development of the welfare state, as well as the effects of social policy on an individual and societal level, often in an international comparative perspective and with quantitative research methods.
The focus is on the impact of political and economic factors for the institutional design of social policy, and the connections between the design of social policy, socio-economic conditions and individuals' life chances.
Thematically, all major transfer programs are analyzed, such as pensions, parental benefits, sickness benefits, unemployment benefits and social benefits. In addition, various forms of publicly funded services such as health care, education, housing and labour market policy reforms are studied. Finally, some social policy programs that can not be classified as either transfers or services are also treated, e.g. supply control and taxation in alcohol policy.
The analyzes of the social policy programs cover large parts of the world, with an emphasis on the industrialized western countries and Sweden. In addition to this, social policy is also studied in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, South America and Africa. The analyzes range from about 1950 onwards, with a certain emphasis on the current development of the programs.
Research at the individual and societal level
The research is conducted from both macro and micro perspectives. The macro-analyzes, for example, deal with different explanations for the development of social policy, while the micro-analyzes shed light on the consequences of the programs at the individual level in both the short and long term. Recurring issues concern the interaction between different programs and the consequences of the programs in a life course perspective.
Databases at SOCPOL
An important part of the SOCPOL unit's activities consists of the establishment and further development of infrastructure for research, especially databases such as the Social Citizenship Indicator Program (SCIP), the Social Policy Indicator Database (SPIN) and Stockholm Birth Cohort Study (SBC).
This project has three aims: to assess gendered trends in leave provisions across 31 countries since 1965, examine links between leave policies and gendered use using Eurostat Labour Force Survey data (2010, 2018), and explore how long-term exposure to leave rights influences mothers’ and fathers’ leave use.
In this project, we functioned as the Swedish National team providing input to EUROMOD. EUROMOD is a European tax-benefit simulation model. The input we provided pertained to policy knowledge, preparation of micro-data and programming of the Swedish tax-benefit system.
Care leave – the right to take time-off from work to provide care – is a key ingredient for sustainable work and a rare area of welfare state expansion. As women now make-up a majority or near majority of union members in many countries, this project examines when and how trade unions mobilize for care leave policies and to what effect.
The project offers insights into whether and how increasing income inequality spills over into disparities in future generations' educational outcomes. The evidence provided is instrumental to understanding the long-term challenges for the Swedish welfare state to provide equal opportunities for its citizens.
Many countries have introduced student loans to support higher education participation and funding. However, the proportion of students who use loans seems to vary greatly across higher education systems. In this project, we investigate institutional and individual-level factors that influence student loan uptake.
This project is part of an international consortium (WELRISCC) that aims to investigate from a comparative perspective how different European welfare states respond to challenges related to ensuring environmental sustainability while also enhancing people’s well-being.
Protests against energy projects often make headlines—but how effective are they? A new study of 40 years of Swedish energy protests reveals that efforts to maintain the status quo succeed more often than those pushing for change.
A new study indicates that support for increased environmental taxes is lower in countries with weak governmental institutions, particularly when the non-rich majority of the population accounts for a larger share of carbon emissions.
Researcher Max Thaning is leading a new Forte-funded project to explore how increasing income inequality impacts children’s educational choices and future prospects. The study compares developments in Sweden with other Nordic countries and the US to shed light on changes in social mobility.
What factors drive students to take on debt for their education? A new project funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond seeks to uncover the influences behind student loan decisions, aiming to inform better educational policy and financial support systems. Led by researcher Krzysztof Czarnecki at The Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI), the study will analyze data from 34 countries to explore how institutional and individual factors shape students' choices around loans.
A new report highlights the success of municipalities in lowering the number of young people neither working nor studying (UVAS) through coordinated efforts and early intervention. Learn more about the impact of social policies on youth integration.
José Montalban Castilla and Ola Sjöberg of The Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI) at Stockholm University have received grants from the Swedish Research Council for projects in the fields of humanities and social sciences.
Three researchers at SOFI have been awarded research grants from Forte to study inequality, discrimination and young people's future prospects in Sweden.
Dr. Cassandra Engeman from the Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI) has been awarded the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant. Her project will explore how trade unions shape social policies, particularly focusing on care leave, across different countries.
The Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI) at Stockholm University is seeking a postdoctoral researcher in sociology. Suitable candidates are dedicated researchers who wish to delve into areas such as social policy, welfare, inequality, and the labor market.
Ellen Verbakel (Radboud Univ) presents her research at the Social Stratification, Welfare, and Social Policy Seminar, at the Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI).
Ellen Verbakel (Radboud Univ) presents her research at the Social Stratification, Welfare, and Social Policy Seminar, at the Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI).
