Equality is not only a concept pertaining to moral status but also a central ideal in theories of distributive justice. Questions of inequality arise when we consider disparities in resources, opportunities, and access to services such as healthcare and education. Is inequality, as such, unjust? To what extent should inequalities resulting from differences in talent or effort be permitted? My research addresses these questions, with a particular focus on distributive justice in education and the tension between equality and meritocracy.