There is widespread acceptance that multiple, interrelated and mutually reinforcing inequalities exist in areas such as income, wealth, education, health and power, and that these inequalities matter, both in their own right and because of their harmful effects on economic efficiency and political institutions. Yet people differ in their beliefs about the causes of inequality, and there is even less consensus on how to address it. Tackling inequality of opportunity therefore requires an understanding of its structural causes, as well as a critical examination of the political, technical and cultural norms that are often deeply embedded at local and national levels. In this course, participants learn to explain the societal factors behind unequal opportunities, analyse how limitations and privileges shape them, and compare individual and systemic interventions to address them.

The course runs for five days, with morning sessions from 9:30 to 12:00 and afternoon sessions from 13:00 to 16:00, each combining theory, practice and reflection. Monday introduces opportunity inequalities and includes a workshop on mapping personal privilege and systemic barriers. Tuesday focuses on education and how education systems reinforce or reduce inequality; Wednesday on disparities in physical and mental health and wellbeing, including designing health interventions; and Thursday on taxes, benefits and the welfare system, followed by stakeholder mapping and action perspectives. Friday closes with a reflection session on the question 'What can I do to reduce inequality?' and final group presentations with feedback.

Participants are assessed through a group presentation on a chosen intervention strategy (60%), a reflection essay on possible solutions (25%) and active participation in workshops and discussions (15%). The course takes place at the UvA Roeterseiland Campus in Amsterdam and is taught in English.

Martin Clemens Villa – Course coordinator, TheRockGroup. Martin has a background in Business Administration and Global Business & Sustainability. Since 2021, he has worked at TheRockGroup as a consultant, focusing on sustainable business practices and educational programmes. He also holds a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ).

At the University of Amsterdam, Martin developed and taught a 12-week elective course on opportunity gaps in the Netherlands for three consecutive years. In addition, he has developed and taught courses including Circular Economy & Society and Externalities.

Alongside his consultancy and teaching experience, Martin has coordinated two traineeship programmes for young professionals. From 2022 to 2024, he coordinated the SDG Traineeship, in which participants worked for 15 weeks on sustainability consultancy assignments for municipalities, NGOs, and companies. Since 2024, he has coordinated Issue Killers, a programme in which participants work in teams to develop and launch campaigns addressing societal issues.

Lucas Steinbusch – Lecturer, TheRockGroup. Lucas has a background in Cultural Anthropology and International Development Studies, specialising in Asian and Gender Studies. His master's research on queer and women's rights in Jordan gives him insight into how cultural norms, gender and power shape unequal opportunities. Since 2021, he has worked as a consultant at TheRockGroup, researching the systemic and legal changes needed for a sustainable transition, including projects on the Rights of Nature. At the University of Amsterdam, he has developed and taught courses such as System Thinking and Crises, Circular Economy and Our Restored Relation to Nature. He also coordinated Issue Killers (2022–2024), a traineeship in which young professionals launch campaigns on societal issues. Previously, he worked for the Dutch Immigration Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and as a project manager in the solar energy and cultural sectors.

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