Laura Hamilton

Laura Hamilton is a Professor and Chair of Sociology at the University of California, Merced. She is also the co-founder of the Higher Education, Race, & the Economy (HERE) Lab, which focuses on systemic inequities in higher education. Her work examines how institutional structures and funding policies perpetuate racial and class disparities.

Her research interests include postsecondary education systems, higher education funding models, race and class equity, online education trends, and organizational sociology. Notable publications include award-winning books such as *Paying for the Party: How College Maintains Inequality* and *Broke: The Racial Consequences of Underfunding Public Universities*.

Her recent work critiques underfunding of public universities and advocates for equitable policy reforms. The HERE Lab collaborates on projects addressing systemic barriers in higher education access and outcomes. No specific grants or advising details are provided in the text, though her research frequently intersects with institutional and policy analysis.