Prof. Colby King is a sociologist whose work focuses on social inequalities, social class and the mechanisms shaping life and educational trajectories. In his research, he combines a structural analysis perspective with an asset-based approach. This approach is reflected both in his academic and teaching activities as well as in his cooperation with educational institutions.
During his stay in Lodz, Prof. King will participate in a number of academic and teaching events organised at the University of Lodz. The programme includes, among other things, a meeting of the Department of the Sociology of Culture, a seminar of the BRAINY project team, a biographical seminar organised by the University of Lodz Centre for Biographical Research and Oral History, consultations for doctoral students and students, as well as teaching classes for students.
The main event of the visit will be an open lecture by Prof. Colby King titled: “Class as an Asset in Context: A Sociologist Puts Sociology to Work on Structural Inequalities and Opportunity Pipelines”. The meeting will be held on 18 May 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in a hybrid format – on-site at the Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz (room F12) and online.
The event is co-organised by the Section for Class Analysis of the Polish Sociological Association and the Lodz Branch of the Polish Sociological Association.
During his stay in Poland, Prof. King will also visit the University of Bialystok, where he will deliver a seminar at the Faculty of Sociology titled: “Exploring the complexities of place branding in post-industrial Pittsburgh”.
Prof. King’s visit provides an opportunity to discuss how sociology can support both understanding and addressing structural inequalities, as well as how research on social class, education and life trajectories can be applied in academic, educational and social practice.
Open lecture:
„Class as an Asset in Context: A Sociologist Puts Sociology to Work on Structural Inequalities and Opportunity Pipelines”
Date: 18 May 2026 ,2:00 p.m.
Location: Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, room F12 and online
Format: hybrid
Online participation (Microsoft Teams)
Meeting ID: 384 186 135 477 088
Access code: vd3Zu78p
