Gaia Ghirardi
@gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Sociologist for children and social equality.
Postdoc at University of Bologna (GENPOP) & previously PhD at the EUI.
https://gaiaghirardi.github.io
Postdoc at University of Bologna (GENPOP) & previously PhD at the EUI.
https://gaiaghirardi.github.io
Pinned
Gaia Ghirardi
@gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
· Jun 10
“SES, Genes & Differential Effects of Parental Separation on Educational Attainment”: @fabriberna.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social find the largest penalty for “high-SES students whose parents separate is…among those w/ a low PGI EA.” @eui-eu.bsky.social read.dukeupress.edu/demography/a...
New paper with @fabriberna.bsky.social - part of my PhD thesis!
Why are the negative educational consequences of parental separation stronger among high-SES children?
→ When high-SES parents separate, they lose their ability to compensate for their child’s low genetic propensity for education 🧬👪
Why are the negative educational consequences of parental separation stronger among high-SES children?
→ When high-SES parents separate, they lose their ability to compensate for their child’s low genetic propensity for education 🧬👪
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
New article in @sfjournal.bsky.social with @mvaldes1989.bsky.social and I. Lievore on the effect of edu expansion among parents on children's achievement
Do university-educated families lose their edge as education expands among parents?
Short answer: yes
1/2
academic.oup.com/sf/advance-a...
Do university-educated families lose their edge as education expands among parents?
Short answer: yes
1/2
academic.oup.com/sf/advance-a...
Do university-educated families lose their edge as education expands? The withering performance and advantage of their children
Abstract. Extensive research has examined the effect of educational expansion in one cohort on educational inequality and occupational returns in that same
academic.oup.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:06 AM
New article in @sfjournal.bsky.social with @mvaldes1989.bsky.social and I. Lievore on the effect of edu expansion among parents on children's achievement
Do university-educated families lose their edge as education expands among parents?
Short answer: yes
1/2
academic.oup.com/sf/advance-a...
Do university-educated families lose their edge as education expands among parents?
Short answer: yes
1/2
academic.oup.com/sf/advance-a...
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
Unregulated and privatized polygenic embryo selection is a profound ethical threat.
It turns reproduction into a commodity, reinforces social inequality, and normalizes genetic essentialism.
Thank you, @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for this powerful piece!
It turns reproduction into a commodity, reinforces social inequality, and normalizes genetic essentialism.
Thank you, @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for this powerful piece!
There’s a new kid in town!
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Embryo selection based on polygenic prediction risks reinforcing social inequality
The rise of companies offering embryo selection based on genetic testing has triggered heated debate about ethical acceptability, as well as the accuracy and scientific validity of these techniques. W...
www.fertstert.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Unregulated and privatized polygenic embryo selection is a profound ethical threat.
It turns reproduction into a commodity, reinforces social inequality, and normalizes genetic essentialism.
Thank you, @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for this powerful piece!
It turns reproduction into a commodity, reinforces social inequality, and normalizes genetic essentialism.
Thank you, @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for this powerful piece!
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
This paper clearly articulates what is, in my opinion, one of the major ethical problems with polygenic embryo testing companies--that they are *companies* that sell health as a private commodity. from @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social & @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social
www.fertstert.org/news-do/embr...
www.fertstert.org/news-do/embr...
Embryo selection based on polygenic prediction risks reinforcing social inequality
The rise of companies offering embryo selection based on genetic testing has triggered heated debate about ethical acceptability, as well as the accuracy and scientific validity of these techniques. W...
www.fertstert.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
This paper clearly articulates what is, in my opinion, one of the major ethical problems with polygenic embryo testing companies--that they are *companies* that sell health as a private commodity. from @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social & @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social
www.fertstert.org/news-do/embr...
www.fertstert.org/news-do/embr...
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
"Offering genetic predictions for embryos to improve health outcomes latches onto a privatization logic that does exactly the opposite and hence erodes a system based on social equality and solidarity."
Thank you @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for such an important piece!
Thank you @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for such an important piece!
There’s a new kid in town!
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Embryo selection based on polygenic prediction risks reinforcing social inequality
The rise of companies offering embryo selection based on genetic testing has triggered heated debate about ethical acceptability, as well as the accuracy and scientific validity of these techniques. W...
www.fertstert.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
"Offering genetic predictions for embryos to improve health outcomes latches onto a privatization logic that does exactly the opposite and hence erodes a system based on social equality and solidarity."
Thank you @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for such an important piece!
Thank you @arnovanhootegem.bsky.social @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social for such an important piece!
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
There’s a new kid in town!
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Embryo selection based on polygenic prediction risks reinforcing social inequality
The rise of companies offering embryo selection based on genetic testing has triggered heated debate about ethical acceptability, as well as the accuracy and scientific validity of these techniques. W...
www.fertstert.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:09 AM
There’s a new kid in town!
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Companies are now selling IVF and embryo selection based on genetic testing for traits related to health and even intelligence.
We outline methodological and ethical concerns, and warn against risks for social inequality.
With the fantastic @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
NEW ARTICLE OUT NOW 📄👀
@gaiaghirardi.bsky.social and @filippogch.bsky.social: "Center-based formal childcare closes gaps, others may widen them: How childcare arrangements shape early educational inequality"
Find it online here 🌐👇 doi.org/10.1177/0001...
@gaiaghirardi.bsky.social and @filippogch.bsky.social: "Center-based formal childcare closes gaps, others may widen them: How childcare arrangements shape early educational inequality"
Find it online here 🌐👇 doi.org/10.1177/0001...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
doi.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:25 PM
NEW ARTICLE OUT NOW 📄👀
@gaiaghirardi.bsky.social and @filippogch.bsky.social: "Center-based formal childcare closes gaps, others may widen them: How childcare arrangements shape early educational inequality"
Find it online here 🌐👇 doi.org/10.1177/0001...
@gaiaghirardi.bsky.social and @filippogch.bsky.social: "Center-based formal childcare closes gaps, others may widen them: How childcare arrangements shape early educational inequality"
Find it online here 🌐👇 doi.org/10.1177/0001...
New publication in @actasociologica.bsky.social!
@filippogch.bsky.social and I use a novel decomposition method (@ang-yu.bsky.social and Elwert) to study if and how *childcare arrangements* under age 3 shape disparities in children’s cognitive skills
➡️ journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
1/5
@filippogch.bsky.social and I use a novel decomposition method (@ang-yu.bsky.social and Elwert) to study if and how *childcare arrangements* under age 3 shape disparities in children’s cognitive skills
➡️ journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
1/5
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:12 PM
New publication in @actasociologica.bsky.social!
@filippogch.bsky.social and I use a novel decomposition method (@ang-yu.bsky.social and Elwert) to study if and how *childcare arrangements* under age 3 shape disparities in children’s cognitive skills
➡️ journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
1/5
@filippogch.bsky.social and I use a novel decomposition method (@ang-yu.bsky.social and Elwert) to study if and how *childcare arrangements* under age 3 shape disparities in children’s cognitive skills
➡️ journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
1/5
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
I have written are review of "The Social Genome: The New Science of Nature and Nurture" by Dalton Conley
Pre-print on @socarxiv.bsky.social here:
osf.io/preprints/so...
I highly recommend it, particularly to graduate students
The reasons👇
Pre-print on @socarxiv.bsky.social here:
osf.io/preprints/so...
I highly recommend it, particularly to graduate students
The reasons👇
osf.io
November 3, 2025 at 7:58 AM
I have written are review of "The Social Genome: The New Science of Nature and Nurture" by Dalton Conley
Pre-print on @socarxiv.bsky.social here:
osf.io/preprints/so...
I highly recommend it, particularly to graduate students
The reasons👇
Pre-print on @socarxiv.bsky.social here:
osf.io/preprints/so...
I highly recommend it, particularly to graduate students
The reasons👇
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
Interdisciplinary paper with @paulhufe.net Astrid Sandsør and Nicolai Borgen now out in PNAS!
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
The genetic lottery goes to school: Better schools compensate for the effects of students’ genetic differences
www.pnas.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Interdisciplinary paper with @paulhufe.net Astrid Sandsør and Nicolai Borgen now out in PNAS!
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Causal evidence of gene-environment interaction for reading test scores based on:
🧬 Exogenous within-family genetic differences
🏫 Exogenous variation in school value added
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
The UNED inequality and social demography seminar is back, with @ramina-sotoudeh.bsky.social @l-sage.bsky.social @melindacmills.bsky.social @mariavaalavuo.bsky.social @arnoutvanderijt.bsky.social @nicolettabalbo and @danieloesch
If you are Madrid, come along!
👇the program for this academic year
If you are Madrid, come along!
👇the program for this academic year
October 13, 2025 at 7:09 AM
The UNED inequality and social demography seminar is back, with @ramina-sotoudeh.bsky.social @l-sage.bsky.social @melindacmills.bsky.social @mariavaalavuo.bsky.social @arnoutvanderijt.bsky.social @nicolettabalbo and @danieloesch
If you are Madrid, come along!
👇the program for this academic year
If you are Madrid, come along!
👇the program for this academic year
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
Paper by Cozzani et al. explores a possible mechanism underlying ART birth disparities & highlights that these disparities do not appear to arise from treatment success, at least when treatments are performed in widely subsidized public context in Italy. www.demographic-research.org/articles/vol...
October 2, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Paper by Cozzani et al. explores a possible mechanism underlying ART birth disparities & highlights that these disparities do not appear to arise from treatment success, at least when treatments are performed in widely subsidized public context in Italy. www.demographic-research.org/articles/vol...
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
Immigrants typically arrive in good health but experience fast health declines. Is the same true for Asylum Seekers though?
Check out my latest publication on PDR: doi.org/10.1111/padr...
Short answer: yes for (self-reported) physical health, but the opposite is true for mental health!
Check out my latest publication on PDR: doi.org/10.1111/padr...
Short answer: yes for (self-reported) physical health, but the opposite is true for mental health!
September 30, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Immigrants typically arrive in good health but experience fast health declines. Is the same true for Asylum Seekers though?
Check out my latest publication on PDR: doi.org/10.1111/padr...
Short answer: yes for (self-reported) physical health, but the opposite is true for mental health!
Check out my latest publication on PDR: doi.org/10.1111/padr...
Short answer: yes for (self-reported) physical health, but the opposite is true for mental health!
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
In many journals associate editors play an important role in the review process but their names don’t appear in communications with authors. At Europ Soc Rev, when we reject a paper the letter is signed by both EiC and AE. In others only the EiC signs. Having the AE in the letter adds transparency
September 19, 2025 at 10:40 AM
In many journals associate editors play an important role in the review process but their names don’t appear in communications with authors. At Europ Soc Rev, when we reject a paper the letter is signed by both EiC and AE. In others only the EiC signs. Having the AE in the letter adds transparency
First single-author pub out in SSM!
It shows a mechanism underlying the intergenerational transmission of health inequality: high-SES families buffer genetic propensity for obesity & overweight, while low-SES environments trigger it 🌍🧬⚖️
OA:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
1/5
It shows a mechanism underlying the intergenerational transmission of health inequality: high-SES families buffer genetic propensity for obesity & overweight, while low-SES environments trigger it 🌍🧬⚖️
OA:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
1/5
The development of body mass index from adolescence to adulthood: A genotype-family socioeconomic status interaction study
Body weight in adolescence and adulthood may result from the interplay between individuals’ genetic characteristics and the social context in which th…
www.sciencedirect.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:56 AM
First single-author pub out in SSM!
It shows a mechanism underlying the intergenerational transmission of health inequality: high-SES families buffer genetic propensity for obesity & overweight, while low-SES environments trigger it 🌍🧬⚖️
OA:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
1/5
It shows a mechanism underlying the intergenerational transmission of health inequality: high-SES families buffer genetic propensity for obesity & overweight, while low-SES environments trigger it 🌍🧬⚖️
OA:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
1/5
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
1/ Thrilled to share that my main PhD article has just been published in Nature Human Behaviour! 🎉
👉 “A randomised controlled trial on the effect of administrative burden and information costs on social inequalities in early childcare access in France” rdcu.be/eFAEA
👉 “A randomised controlled trial on the effect of administrative burden and information costs on social inequalities in early childcare access in France” rdcu.be/eFAEA
A randomized controlled trial on the effect of administrative burden and information costs on social inequalities in early childcare access in France
Nature Human Behaviour - This RCT finds that providing information and support to target cognitive and behavioural barriers eliminates early childcare application gaps for low-income and immigrant...
rdcu.be
September 11, 2025 at 10:37 AM
1/ Thrilled to share that my main PhD article has just been published in Nature Human Behaviour! 🎉
👉 “A randomised controlled trial on the effect of administrative burden and information costs on social inequalities in early childcare access in France” rdcu.be/eFAEA
👉 “A randomised controlled trial on the effect of administrative burden and information costs on social inequalities in early childcare access in France” rdcu.be/eFAEA
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
"The geography of tertiary education inequality in EU"
just out in @europeansocieties.bsky.social with @mvaldes1989.bsky.social and Ilaria Lievore
An outcome of the mapineq.eu project
just out in @europeansocieties.bsky.social with @mvaldes1989.bsky.social and Ilaria Lievore
An outcome of the mapineq.eu project
The geography of tertiary education inequality in Europe: a within- and cross-country analysis over time
Abstract. In this article we study differences in levels of educational inequality across European countries and regions. We address two research questions. First, we ask whether educational inequalit...
direct.mit.edu
September 3, 2025 at 6:23 AM
"The geography of tertiary education inequality in EU"
just out in @europeansocieties.bsky.social with @mvaldes1989.bsky.social and Ilaria Lievore
An outcome of the mapineq.eu project
just out in @europeansocieties.bsky.social with @mvaldes1989.bsky.social and Ilaria Lievore
An outcome of the mapineq.eu project
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
Please consider submitting to our @socialdevelopment.bsky.social special issue on Political Engagement in Childhood and Adolescence: lnkd.in/eEFRuXJm. Abstracts are due on 15 September and the issue is edited by @harriet-tenenbaum.bsky.social
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
August 14, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Please consider submitting to our @socialdevelopment.bsky.social special issue on Political Engagement in Childhood and Adolescence: lnkd.in/eEFRuXJm. Abstracts are due on 15 September and the issue is edited by @harriet-tenenbaum.bsky.social
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
Must-read for anyone considering Mendelian Imputation to increase their genetic sample.
Is the potential benefit really outweighing the risks?
Is the potential benefit really outweighing the risks?
New pre-print online: Imputing parental genotypes through Mendelian Imputation: Ethical and Legal Considerations
osf.io/preprints/ps...
osf.io/preprints/ps...
OSF
osf.io
August 4, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Must-read for anyone considering Mendelian Imputation to increase their genetic sample.
Is the potential benefit really outweighing the risks?
Is the potential benefit really outweighing the risks?
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
🔴New working paper with @marcocozzani.bsky.social and @juhoharkonen.bsky.social. We describe the temporal link between conception timing and preterm birth rates. When conception rates fluctuate, preterm birth proportions shift predictably but with different magnitudes depending on baseline risk. 1/4
labdisia.disia.unifi.it
July 16, 2025 at 12:34 PM
🔴New working paper with @marcocozzani.bsky.social and @juhoharkonen.bsky.social. We describe the temporal link between conception timing and preterm birth rates. When conception rates fluctuate, preterm birth proportions shift predictably but with different magnitudes depending on baseline risk. 1/4
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
🚨📜 Debut publication alert!
Do genetics influence education differently across state borders? 🧬📚 We tested differences in genetic associations with education in East and West 🇩🇪 around reunification!
Out now in Psychological Science 👉 doi.org/10.1177/0956...
#Sociogenomics #MPRGBiosocial #MPIB
A🧵
Do genetics influence education differently across state borders? 🧬📚 We tested differences in genetic associations with education in East and West 🇩🇪 around reunification!
Out now in Psychological Science 👉 doi.org/10.1177/0956...
#Sociogenomics #MPRGBiosocial #MPIB
A🧵
July 15, 2025 at 9:32 AM
🚨📜 Debut publication alert!
Do genetics influence education differently across state borders? 🧬📚 We tested differences in genetic associations with education in East and West 🇩🇪 around reunification!
Out now in Psychological Science 👉 doi.org/10.1177/0956...
#Sociogenomics #MPRGBiosocial #MPIB
A🧵
Do genetics influence education differently across state borders? 🧬📚 We tested differences in genetic associations with education in East and West 🇩🇪 around reunification!
Out now in Psychological Science 👉 doi.org/10.1177/0956...
#Sociogenomics #MPRGBiosocial #MPIB
A🧵
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
🆕 NEW Paper with K. Bobrowicz (lead), Z. Teuber & S. Greiff in @plosone.org!
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Stakeholders push Competition & Achievement over Solidarity & Cohesion
#Meritocracy #Trap
🌍 53 countries
📊 Thematic Analysis
🕰️ 1999–2023
Open Access 👉 journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Stakeholders push Competition & Achievement over Solidarity & Cohesion
#Meritocracy #Trap
🌍 53 countries
📊 Thematic Analysis
🕰️ 1999–2023
Open Access 👉 journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
July 7, 2025 at 10:10 AM
🆕 NEW Paper with K. Bobrowicz (lead), Z. Teuber & S. Greiff in @plosone.org!
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Stakeholders push Competition & Achievement over Solidarity & Cohesion
#Meritocracy #Trap
🌍 53 countries
📊 Thematic Analysis
🕰️ 1999–2023
Open Access 👉 journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Stakeholders push Competition & Achievement over Solidarity & Cohesion
#Meritocracy #Trap
🌍 53 countries
📊 Thematic Analysis
🕰️ 1999–2023
Open Access 👉 journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Reposted by Gaia Ghirardi
How do parental health shocks affect children’s well-being, personality and NEET status?
Our new paper on @jmfncfr.bsky.social l suggests small or null effects in Germany.
With @jpheisig.bsky.social , Jonas Radl and Alena Scheinert
Open access here: doi.org/10.1111/jomf...
Our new paper on @jmfncfr.bsky.social l suggests small or null effects in Germany.
With @jpheisig.bsky.social , Jonas Radl and Alena Scheinert
Open access here: doi.org/10.1111/jomf...
June 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
How do parental health shocks affect children’s well-being, personality and NEET status?
Our new paper on @jmfncfr.bsky.social l suggests small or null effects in Germany.
With @jpheisig.bsky.social , Jonas Radl and Alena Scheinert
Open access here: doi.org/10.1111/jomf...
Our new paper on @jmfncfr.bsky.social l suggests small or null effects in Germany.
With @jpheisig.bsky.social , Jonas Radl and Alena Scheinert
Open access here: doi.org/10.1111/jomf...
New paper with @fabriberna.bsky.social - part of my PhD thesis!
Why are the negative educational consequences of parental separation stronger among high-SES children?
→ When high-SES parents separate, they lose their ability to compensate for their child’s low genetic propensity for education 🧬👪
Why are the negative educational consequences of parental separation stronger among high-SES children?
→ When high-SES parents separate, they lose their ability to compensate for their child’s low genetic propensity for education 🧬👪
“SES, Genes & Differential Effects of Parental Separation on Educational Attainment”: @fabriberna.bsky.social & @gaiaghirardi.bsky.social find the largest penalty for “high-SES students whose parents separate is…among those w/ a low PGI EA.” @eui-eu.bsky.social read.dukeupress.edu/demography/a...
June 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
New paper with @fabriberna.bsky.social - part of my PhD thesis!
Why are the negative educational consequences of parental separation stronger among high-SES children?
→ When high-SES parents separate, they lose their ability to compensate for their child’s low genetic propensity for education 🧬👪
Why are the negative educational consequences of parental separation stronger among high-SES children?
→ When high-SES parents separate, they lose their ability to compensate for their child’s low genetic propensity for education 🧬👪