Meet the Cluster Community: Patrick Sullivan

1. Why are you interested in the study of inequality?

I think inequality has been something that has relatively recently emerged into the fore of public discussion in the United States, and rightly so. We have lots of work to do and I'd like to be involved in continuing to push that discussion forward.

2. What are you working on?

I'm interested in public opinion on topics involving taxation. At the moment, I am looking to run several survey experiments that focus on information provision and support for progressive tax policy.

3. How did you end up here?

I had the opportunity to take a class called "The Politics of Inequality" during my Master's and found it so interesting. My professor for that class recommended looking into a (very similar named) Cluster of Excellence down here in Konstanz. Needless to say my interest was peaked, and I was fortunate enough to get an offer to embark in the next chapter of my career here at the Uni.

4. Recent highlight?

I'm glad to see things finally opening up again here in Konstanz and that Covid cases have declined so much. It really feels like I've just truly arrived.

Patrick Sullivan is an Independent Doctoral Fellow at the Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality". His research interests include tax policy, political and economic inequality, and public opinion.