They are experienced as lack of equality, a diminished sense of social worth, respect and fairness or unfair allocation of resources and opportunities. Understanding how a sense of worth, esteem, belonging and participation is articulated in the life-world contexts of different individuals and groups is a key domain of inequality research. Inequality is an intersectional phenomenon, as lived inequalities are produced as combinations of conditions and dimensions where material lack of resources, opportunities and identities accumulate in complex ways. Inability to pay attention to these intersections and vulnerabilities is a major social risk both at the level of individuals and societies. A society that is incapable of identifying the different forms, accumulations and combinations of inequality is less resilient and less legitimate.
How are inequalities lived, experienced and recognized? How do different kinds inequalities (qualities of people) intersect and accumulate to positions of power and vulnerability between different groups and identities? How are such positions made sense of and addressed – both between people and in their interaction with institutions?