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Class system study goes under spotlight

07 Nov 2013

A study of social class, which made headlines around the world this year, is to be the subject of a debate at Manchester Business School, Lecture Theatre G6 on Friday, 8 November (5.30-7.30pm).

The research, one of the largest studies of its kind, found the traditional view of a Britain made up of working, middle and upper class people is no longer accurate,

The Great British Class Survey of 161,000 people, charted the emergence of a new class system comprising seven groups in Britain, blurring the conventional boundaries between the ‘middle’ and ‘working’ classes.

It was led by BBC LabUK, and leading sociologists Professor Fiona Devine from The University of Manchester and Professor Mike Savage from  the London School of Economics.

Also published in the influential journal ‘Sociology’, the researchers argue class and status is prevalent and spatial boundaries between regions of affluence and disadvantage are hardening.

The debates will discuss the issues of class and inequality brought up by the GBCS and its implications on British social class in 2013 and beyond.

Speakers include:

  • Lead authors Professors Fiona Devine from The University of Manchester and Mike Savage from the London School of Economics
  • Neil McInroy from the Centre for Local Economic Strategies
  • Mike Orwell, Producer at  BBC Knowledge & Learning
  • James Plunkett, Director of Policy at the Resolution Foundation

The event takes place as part of the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) ‘ Festival of Social Science’ and will be followed by a wine reception, supported by CRESC: The ESRC Centre for Research on Socio-Cultural Change (CRESC).