What We Have (Recently) Learned: RC28’s Contributions Over the Last Two Decades

In this article, we provide an updated complement to Hout and DiPrete’s (2006) influential review of RC28 scholarship, offering an analysis of contributions from the RC28 community since the early 2000s. Drawing on topic models of conference presentations, highly cited articles and books presented at RC28 conferences and written by RC28 board members, RSSM edited volumes, a qualitative survey of RC28 members, and plenary session feedback from two RC28 conferences, we identify 21 recent key contributions to social stratification and mobility research. We show thatRC28 scholars have increasingly emphasized educational, income and wealth, and gender inequality, while placing less focus on social class. Some of the most highly cited research over the last two decades include studies on the consequences of income inequality, differential economic returns to college, family background effects on children’s achievement, gender gaps in educational achievement, persistent inequality in educational attainment, changes inintergenerational mobility patterns, and the importance of wealth inequality. The community’s methodological focus has shifted from log-linear models to methods for causal inference. Despite improvements in participation from Asia, the field would benefit from broader global inclusion. We conclude that to remain relevant and impactful, RC28 must not only continue producing highquality research but also actively engage with policymakers, practitioners, and the public to ensure that its insights help shape more equitable societies.