David Bryan Grusky (born April 14, 1958) is an American sociologist and academic renowned for his work on social inequality, economic stratification, and mobility.

Grusky’s research combines sociological theory to investigate the systemic causes and consequences of inequality, with a particular focus on income disparities, social class, microclass occupations and intergenerational mobility.

During his tenure, he focused on developing his research agenda in social mobility and class structure while teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in sociology.

[1][3] In 1988, Grusky joined Stanford University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology, marking the beginning of a long association with the institution.

As the director, he established the center as a hub for interdisciplinary research on social stratification and inequality, integrating perspectives from sociology, economics, and public policy.

[1][3] At Cornell, Grusky also held the position of Professor of Sociology and continued to expand his research on class structures, intergenerational mobility, and gender inequality in labor markets.

Under his leadership, the center has become one of the foremost institutions for studying inequality in the United States, producing influential reports, fostering interdisciplinary research, and shaping policy debates.

For instance, elite professions such as law, finance, and politics tend to be highly credentialed and network-driven, making access to these fields dependent on inherited advantages rather than meritocratic achievement.

Prescott Bush attended Yale University, where he was a member of the elite secret society, Skull and Bones, a powerful networking organization that has historically facilitated entry into high-status professions.

Similarly, George W. Bush followed this occupational pathway, attending Yale as a legacy student (and joined Skull and Bones), benefiting from elite networks, and later ascending to the presidency.

Several key mechanisms underpin this theory: Grusky’s research on microclasses challenges dominant economic models of inequality by demonstrating that occupational segregation is more persistent than previously understood.