Haowen Zheng is a doctoral candidate in sociology from Zibo, China. She earned her B.A. from Beijing Foreign Studies University in English language and literature and M.A. from New York University in applied quantitative research, and now studies why people move long distances within a country and how those moves shape their lives under the guidance of Kim Weeden at Cornell.
What is your area of research and why is it important?
My dissertation examines why people move long distances within a country—especially for work—and how those moves shape their lives. Using nationally representative surveys and statistical methods, I study the factors driving these moves, how patterns change over time, and how outcomes like income and health differ across social groups. Moving can open doors to better jobs and living conditions, but not everyone benefits equally. For instance, women and those without a college degree often face more barriers, have less incentive to move, and gain less from doing so. By uncovering these disparities, my work helps inform policies that promote more equitable access to opportunity through mobility.
