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Topic: Family, children and education policies

Exploring how family, education, and social policies shape inequalities and child well-being

Understanding how families, education, and policies shape social inequalities

Research in this key topic examines the mechanisms by which inequalities are created and reproduced within families and the education system, and the role of public policy in reducing them. Our work aims to identify practical solutions to better design social policies that can improve the (long-term) well-being of children, youth and their families, thereby contributing to social cohesion, equity and long-term sustainable development. Our research also takes into account Luxembourg’s multilingual and migratory context, a key factor in understanding social and educational inequalities. By drawing on insights from economics, educational sciences, sociology, biology, and data science, we approach these issues from diverse, interdisciplinary perspectives.

Childhood

Our research focuses on child well-being and family dynamics, with a particular emphasis on understanding how parental beliefs, expectations, and aspirations influence decisions about child development. We additionally study how nature and nurture interact in shaping child developmental trajectories and intergenerational inequalities, by leveraging cutting-edge interdisciplinary methods from behavioural genetics and epigenetics.

Family

We analyse how policy instruments – leave policies, flexible work arrangements, cash-for-care schemes, or childcare subsidies – influence household decisions, including time use and investments in child human capital, focusing on the design, coverage, utilization and take up of these instruments.

Education

Our research fosters innovation in education through comprehensive analysis of key themes, including the evaluation of education policies and reforms, inequality of opportunity, teacher development and labour market integration, curricula analysis, ICT skills, student education trajectories, and school choice. Leveraging the transformative potential of AI, we are developing innovative tools that not only equip learners with skills for rapidly evolving industries but also address societal inequalities, fostering a more equitable and adaptive education system for all.

Flagship projects

Early Childcare and Child Development: Insights from Luxembourg

Investigating the consequences of public investments in Early Childhood Education and Care services for the quality of provision and child development.

Evolution of social segregation in education

Investigating socio-economic and socio-cultural disparities in the Luxembourg school system

Explore all of our projects