How achievable is success? A key notion is that success arises from talent, effort, and hard work. However, in this lecture, Thijs Bol primarily focuses on the role of randomness—events over which we have no control. While people increasingly believe they are responsible for their own success and failure, Bol, based on sociological research, demonstrates that randomness plays a much larger role than we think.

He also outlines a research agenda for the future: to what extent is luck and misfortune evenly distributed in our society, and which groups can afford to wait longer for luck or better compensate for misfortune? Finally, he discusses the implications of the workings of randomness for society and science. If people have limited control over their own success and failure, to what extent can we justify the growing inequality?

Prof. Dr. Thijs Bol, Professor of Sociology. The workings of randomness: On the role of chance in inequality.

The inaugural lecture can be followed here.