Prof. Dr. Steffen Schindler (University of Bamberg) and Prof. Dr. Marcus Emmerich (University of Tübingen) could be won for the keynotes. In his opening lecture, Steffen Schindler presented initial findings from the international LIFETRACK project, in which LIfBi is also involved. This project investigates how and why different educational systems and their different sorting logics in the secondary school system influence the emergence and reproduction of social inequalities in the life course. Marcus Emmerich addressed the topic of inclusion and exclusion in the educational system on the basis of systems theory approaches, focusing on the mechanisms of social and pedagogical closure.

Five lecture sessions formed the basis for a fruitful exchange and discussion of current scientific findings on different aspects of educational inequality. In-depth sessions covered tracking, educational outcomes and life chances, intergenerational educational mobility, school practices, preschool, vocational, and higher education, college intention and dropout, and career paths in science.

The conference was completed with two poster sessions, in conjunction with a virtual get-together, where 14 junior researchers presented their current work. "We are happy that we were able to facilitate a fruitful exchange even during the difficult time of the Covid-19 related restrictions," said Prof. Dr. Corinna Kleinert, Head of Department 2 at LIfBi and co-organizer of the conference. "I thank all co-organizers, participants and speakers for a successful conference!"