Student Spotlight: Haowen Zheng

April 28, 2025

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.

What are the larger implications of this research?

My research sheds light on who can access geographic mobility as a tool for improving their lives—and who cannot. Since moving for better jobs or living conditions can reduce inequality, barriers to mobility can reinforce existing social and economic divides. By identifying which groups are left behind and why, my work highlights hidden forms of inequality and informs policies aimed at expanding access to opportunity. Broader implications include improving regional development strategies, designing support systems for disadvantaged movers, and promoting a more inclusive economy where everyone, regardless of background, has a fair chance to improve their circumstances through mobility.

What inspired you to choose this field of study?

I became interested in geographic mobility and its connection to social mobility and equal opportunity after noticing the stark regional disparities within countries like China and the United States, where I’ve spent most of my life. I’m from a small city with a fair number of jobs, yet most of my college-educated peers and cousins chose not to return. This made me wonder about the long-term consequences for individuals, families, and communities left behind. These personal observations sparked my interest in studying geographic mobility more broadly and understanding its implications for access to opportunity, regional inequality, and both socioeconomic and emotional well-being.

What does it mean to you to have received the Kerckhoff Award and Robin M. Williams, Jr. Best Paper Award?

Receiving the Robin M. Williams, Jr. Best Paper Award (for best graduate student paper in Cornell Sociology) and the Kerckhoff Award (from the International Sociological Association’s Research Committee on Social Stratification) is deeply meaningful to me. These honors recognize not only the quality of my research but also the importance of the questions I’m asking about inequality, mobility, and opportunity. It’s incredibly affirming to have my work acknowledged by scholars I admire—both at Cornell and within the broader discipline—and it motivates me to keep moving my research forward. These awards also reinforce my commitment to making complex social inequality issues more visible and grounded in evidence.

What are your hobbies or interests outside of your research or scholarship?

Outside of research, I love traveling to new places and trying different kinds of food to learn about local cultures. I also enjoy reading, watching, and listening to detective and sci-fi stories (a recent favorite is “The Left Hand of Darkness”). Since moving to Ithaca, I’ve picked up birding as a local hobby and have been pleasantly surprised by how many species I can spot just by taking a walk around my neighborhood. This semester, I picked up a new hobby: trying out recipes I come across in short cooking videos on RedNote. It started pretty randomly, but now it’s something I really enjoy, and I think my cooking is steadily improving! These little things help me recharge and bring a bit of fun into my routine.

Why did you choose Cornell to pursue your degree?

Cornell is a superb intellectual home for me, because it offers a strong academic environment and a supportive research community. Through the Cornell Population Center and the Center for the Study of Inequality, I’ve had access to generous mentorship, engaging talks, and opportunities to exchange ideas with others working on related topics. I value being part of a place where I can pursue my own research while also learning from the interesting work of peers and visiting scholars. It has been a good fit for my interests, and I’ve found it to be a space where I can grow and stay intellectually engaged.