Downward Social Mobility in Britain since 1850, 31st March 2025

In current debates, ‘social mobility’ is often used as a synonym for upward social mobility. This obscures an uncomfortable aspect of social fluidity, also neglected in the scholarship: downward social mobility. Christina de Bellaigue, Eve Worth (Department of History, University of Exeter) and Dave O’Brien (Sociology, University of Manchester) are collaborating to develop an interdisciplinary research project on downward social mobility that will help to address vital contemporary policy concerns about the triggers and experiences of economic and social injury and downward social mobility.

The project was launched with a workshop held at Exeter College which brought together scholars from across the Humanities and Social Sciences to explore and define what we mean by downward social mobility, and how historical sources and methodologies can help us develop a clearer understanding of this often sensitive subject. The discussion was captured in ‘Visual Minutes’ produced by Woven Ink which will be used to solicit feedback on academic perspectives from potential project partners among those working with those experiencing downward social mobility. 

The project has been generously supported by the John Fell Fund, Exeter College Oxford, and the History Faculty.

Click on the square below to get a full screen image of the visual minutes.