Sociology Professor Charlie Eaton's study of the relationships between financialization (the growing importance of financial markets, organizations and ideas) and growing inequalities in higher education across the U.S. was cited in a recent New York Review of Books article that highlights the late-2022 strike by academic workers at University of California campuses.
His book "Bankers in the Ivory Tower" was also referenced when the article, titled "Tenant, Debtor, Worker, Student," touched on federal student loans, which have caused millions to go into debt as they attend college in hopes of landing better-paying jobs after graduation.
Eaton has expressed his support for President Joe Biden's proposed plan to cancel billions of dollars in federal student loans. In September 2022, Eaton was a guest on the "Dr. Phil" talk show, where he said the plan will be "transformative for more than 40 million people who are going to have their debt reduced."
In October, a federal appeals court put a temporary hold on the debt-forgiveness program pending further review. On Feb. 28, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a pair of challenges to the program.
