Benjamin Brundu-Gonzalez

Benjamin Brundu-Gonzalez is a PhD candidate in Sociology at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His research draws into both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore how people and institutions define and distribute worth, and how these processes sustain inequality in contemporary societies.

Key expertise: Inequality, Education, Evaluation, Mixed Methods.

(Working) Thesis Title: New identities, Old inequalities: French elite students in the new century

Supervisors: Sam Friedman and Fabien Accominotti

Benjamin’s doctoral research focuses on undergraduate students at an elite French university (pseudonymously called Royal College). Drawing primarily on survey and archival data, the study traces who gains access to this prestigious institution, who succeeds within it, and how students come to see themselves and others as deserving or not. It shows how everyday academic and social processes—from grading procedures to friendship ties—reinforce classed and gendered hierarchies even in spaces committed to meritocracy. Overall, the project deepens our understanding of how elite education exacerbate durable inequalities.

Benjamin has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in sociology and social research methods at LSE, Sciences Po, King’s College London, and Paris 8 University. His teaching combines explicit and relational pedagogy, making learning goals and academic expectations transparent while building welcoming classroom environments. He integrates study skills and critical reflection into disciplinary learning, encouraging students to connect sociological research to their own experiences and to contemporary social issues. His teaching has been recognised through both departmental and institutional awards.

Benjamin’s research aims to advance public and policy debates on social mobility and educational justice. He regularly collaborates with scholars and practitioners to promote institutional accountability and equity in higher education.