Welcome to UCLA Undergraduate Research Week 2026!

Thank you for visiting the 2026 Undergraduate Research and Creativity Showcase. This Showcase features student research and creative projects across all disciplines. As a university campus, free expression is encouraged, and some content may not be appropriate for all ages. Visitors under the age of 18 are encouraged to explore these presentations with a parent or guardian. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect UCLA or any policy or position of UCLA. As a visitor, you agree not to record, copy, or reproduce any of the material featured here. By clicking on the "Agree" button below, you understand and agree to these terms.

Sociology and Public Affairs: Creative Exhibit - Panel 1

Location: Online - Multimedia

Presentation 1
Gabriel Chin, Devah Pager, Lageston
Inequalopy
‘Inequalopy’ is a critical, simulation-based board game inspired by Monopoly that interrogates systemic injustice in the United States. Rather than centering wealth accumulation alone, the game exposes how structural inequalities shape life outcomes, particularly through the concept of civil death, the loss or restriction of rights, access to resources, and full participation in society. Players navigate a dynamic landscape where consequences extend far beyond individual actions, revealing how punishment can cascade into enduring social, economic, and political exclusion. Through gameplay, participants encounter barriers tied not only to material needs such as housing, food, and transportation, but also to institutional forces including legal systems, healthcare access, employment discrimination, and racial stratification. By incorporating race and structural disadvantage as core mechanics, Inequality demonstrates how opportunity is unevenly distributed and how seemingly neutral systems reproduce disparities. The game emphasizes the unpredictability and compounding nature of inequality, encouraging players to critically reflect on privilege, marginalization, and accountability. Ultimately, Inequality serves as both an educational tool and a sociological intervention, fostering a deeper understanding of how systemic forces shape lived experiences and how consequences in unequal systems often exceed the scope of the original “offense.”