Richard H Wilkinson

Richard H. Wilkinson is a British social epidemiologist, author, and political activist. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Nottingham and holds honorary positions at University College London and the University of York. Wilkinson co-founded The Equality Trust in 2009, an organization dedicated to promoting a more equal society. His career has focused on researching the impact of social class, social determinants, and income inequality on health outcomes.

He is widely recognized for his 2009 book, "The Spirit Level," co-authored with Kate Pickett. This influential work posits that societies with more equitable income distribution exhibit better health, fewer social problems such as violence and mental illness, and greater social cohesion compared to those with wider wealth gaps. Wilkinson has authored numerous research articles and several books exploring these themes, earning him awards such as the Solidar Silver Rose Award and the Irish Cancer Society's Charles Cully Memorial Medal.

Richard Wilkinson's academic career has been dedicated to understanding the complex interplay between socioeconomic factors and public health. Educated at Leighton Park School and Reading Technical College, he pursued economic history at the London School of Economics before earning a Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His Master's thesis at the University of Nottingham in 1976 focused on "Socio-economic Factors in Mortality Differentials." Wilkinson's early work, including his 1973 book "Poverty and Progress," laid the groundwork for his later research. A significant contribution was his 1976 article 'Dear David Ennals,' which contributed to the impetus for the influential 1980 Black Report on health inequalities.

From 1976 onwards, Wilkinson's research trajectory centered on disparities in health linked to social class, the broader social determinants of health, and the specific consequences of income inequality. He has authored a substantial body of work, including hundreds of research articles, book chapters, and several books, often in collaboration with his partner, Kate Pickett. Their seminal work, "The Spirit Level" (2009), argues that greater income equality correlates with improved societal health, reduced social issues, and enhanced cohesion. This research has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the Solidar Silver Rose Award (2013), a Humanitarian award from Community Access Unlimited (2013), and the Charles Cully Memorial Medal from the Irish Cancer Society (2014).

Beyond his academic pursuits, Richard Wilkinson has been an active advocate for social change. In 2009, he co-founded The Equality Trust with Kate Pickett. This organization aims to educate the public about the advantages of more equitable societies and to campaign for policies that reduce income inequality. Wilkinson's work has also extended into public discourse through various platforms, including lectures such as the 2008 Eve Saville Memorial Lecture and appearances in documentaries like "Zeitgeist: Moving Forward" (2011) and the film adaptation of "The Spirit Level," titled "The Divide" (2016). His TED talk, "How economic inequality harms societies," further disseminates his key findings to a global audience.