Mike Savage

Mike Savage is a Research Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), affiliated with the Department of Sociology and the International Inequalities Institute. He previously held the Martin White Professorship of Sociology at LSE and served as Head of the Department of Sociology (2013-2016) and Director of the International Inequalities Institute (2015-2020). His research focuses on social stratification, class analysis, and wealth inequality, emphasizing the intersection of economic, cultural, and social capital. Savage advocates for sociological research co-produced with campaigning organizations and accessible to the public.

Key roles include leading the Great British Class Survey, which redefined British class structures, and directing interdisciplinary projects on global wealth elites. His recent work explores the corrosive effects of wealth inequality on political and social cohesion, as seen in his blogs and articles. Savage collaborates widely, co-authoring influential studies on racial inequality in South Africa and the dynamics of corruption talk in British politics.

Research interests span historical sociology, policy analysis, and the revival of class theory in response to rising inequalities. His publications emphasize systemic challenges posed by economic disparities and the need for transformative policies. Savage’s work also addresses educational inequities, including analyses of student outcomes at LSE and the role of social class in access to elite institutions.

His contributions to sociology include theoretical frameworks linking capital accumulation to class exploitation, as well as critical engagements with Piketty’s work on wealth. Savage’s mentorship and leadership have shaped academic discourse on inequality, blending empirical rigor with public engagement to challenge entrenched social divisions.