Tag: Data Research

Damian Whittard Presents Ground-breaking Research on Green Jobs at the International Conference on Sustainability, Environment, and Social Transition in Economics and Finance (SESTEF 2024)

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The pursuit of an environmentally sustainable and equitable future has never been more critical. In this context, we are excited to announce that Damian Whittard, Associate Professor – University of the West of England and ADR UK Research Fellow, will be presenting his latest study titled “Working Towards an Environmentally Sustainable and Equitable Future? New Evidence on Green Jobs from Linked Administrative Data in the UK” at SESTEF 2024 on December 12th.

A Spotlight on Green Jobs

Green jobs are at the forefront of discussions about transitioning to a low-carbon economy. They represent employment opportunities that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment, whether in traditional sectors like manufacturing and construction or in new, emerging green sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. However, the equitable distribution and accessibility of these jobs remain areas that require deeper understanding and analysis.

Unveiling New Insights with Linked Administrative Data

Damian Whittard’s research leverages linked administrative data (ASHE linked to Census 2011 data, curated by the Wage and Employment Dynamics team) to shed light on the landscape of green jobs in the UK. By linking US O*NET occupation data to this rich data source, he aims to uncover patterns and trends that have previously been obscured due to data limitations. This approach allows for a more nuanced analysis of which groups are accessing green jobs, which employers are creating green jobs and the characteristics of green jobs. The study explores whether there is a pay advantage or deficit for working in green jobs, and if so whether this is shared equally between groups.

Key Themes of the Paper

While the full details of the paper will be unveiled at the conference, several key themes are discussed:

  • Accessibility and Equity: Investigating whether green jobs are accessible to a diverse workforce, including marginalised communities, and how this impacts social equity.
  • Economic Implications: Assessing the economic benefits of green jobs for individuals and communities, and how this contributes to broader economic sustainability.
  • Policy Recommendations: Offering evidence-based suggestions for policymakers to enhance the promotion and equitable distribution of green jobs.

The Significance of SESTEF 2024

SESTEF 2024 serves as a critical platform for academics, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss pressing issues at the intersection of sustainability, environment, and social transition in economics and finance. Damian Whittard’s presentation addresses the core themes of the conference and contributes valuable insights to ongoing debates.

Broader Implications for Policy and Practice

With governments worldwide ramping up investments in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, understanding the dynamics of green jobs has never been more critical. The study extends far beyond academia. Policymakers, employers, and community leaders can draw on his findings to inform the development of training programs, job creation initiatives, and regulatory frameworks that promote both environmental and social goals.

Whittard’s work also speaks to the broader challenges of achieving a just transition—ensuring that the shift to sustainability benefits all communities, particularly those historically marginalised. His presentation at SESTEF 2024 is expected to spark important conversations about balancing environmental imperatives with economic and social equity.

A Step Towards a Sustainable Future

As the world grapples with environmental challenges and seeks pathways to a sustainable future, research like this is crucial. By exploring the dynamics of green jobs through linked administrative data, the study provides a clearer picture of where we stand and what steps need to be taken to move forward effectively.

Join the Conversation

Those interested in the future of sustainable employment and equitable economic transitions are encouraged to attend SESTEF 2024. The conference promises a wealth of knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities with leading experts in the field.

The SESTEF Conference will be hosted by Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University.

For more information on the conference schedule and to register, please visit SEFSTEF 2024

 Acknowledgements

The study is co-authored by Professor Peter Bradley, Dr Van Phan and Professor Felix Ritchie. This work is supported by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). ADR UK is a partnership transforming the way researchers access the UK’s wealth of public sector data, to enable better informed policy decisions that improve people’s lives. ADR UK is an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) investment (part of UK Research and Innovation). [Grant number: ES/T013877/ and ES/Y001184/1].

About ADR UK

ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK) is a partnership transforming the way researchers access the UK’s wealth of public sector data, to enable better informed policy decisions that improve people’s lives. By linking together data held by different parts of government and facilitating safe and secure access for accredited researchers to these newly joined-up and deidentified data sets, ADR UK is creating a sustainable body of knowledge about how our society and economy function – tailored to give decision makers the answers they need to solve important policy questions. ADR UK is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), part of UK Research and Innovation.

DRAGoN research group nominated for national excellence awards

Author ripleywk | Posted on

We are thrilled to announce that our work has been shortlisted for a 2024 ONS Research Excellence Award!

This recognition places our work at the forefront of the UK’s data transformation journey. As a multi-disciplinary research group, we bring together researchers and practitioners from academia, think-tanks, industry and government. Our mission is to improve how researchers work with sensitive data by developing cutting-edge tools and best practices for Trusted Research Environments – the secure digital spaces where crucial research affecting public policy takes place.

“We’re honoured that DRAGoN has been nominated for an ONS Research Excellence Award and shortlisted for the People’s Choice category,” says Elizabeth Green, Senior Lecturer in Economics. “These prestigious awards celebrate innovative research that creates public value through statistical excellence. Our nomination highlights the crucial work we do.”

The ONS Research Excellence Awards celebrate projects that push boundaries in statistical analysis and create lasting public benefit. Being shortlisted alongside fourteen other outstanding initiatives confirms our position as a leader in data research innovation.

Your Support Matters We would be grateful for your support through your vote in the People’s Choice category. Voting closes at midnight on Sunday 24 November. Every vote helps showcase our commitment to advancing secure and effective data research.

To vote for our team, please visit the ONS Research Excellence Awards 2024 webpage.

Join us in celebrating this achievement at the virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday 4 December where the winners will be announced.

What can microdata tell us about labour market and wage dynamics in the Western Gateway Area?

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In support of contributing to an evidence base to aid the Labour Government’s key mission to promote regional economic growth and the creation of good jobs, a research team from the University of the West of England has analysed data created as part of the Wage and Employment Dynamics (WED) project to explore the unique characteristics of the West of England’s local labour market.

Background

This work was completed in support of the launch of the Futures West Foundation, which aims to establish evidence-based research and insights to tackle the West of England’s long-term challenges to raise productivity, prosperity and innovation. The report begins by providing a national context before focussing on the regional labour market of the Western Gateway Area (WGA) – the WGA includes Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, and Wiltshire.

By utilising microdata from theAnnual Population Survey (APS) and the enriched Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), researchers explored labour markets and wage trends by focussing on five key sectors: Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Finance and Insurance Services, Creative Industries, Digital Industries, and Environmental Goods and Services.

What we found – national perspective

The article reports the persistence of regional wage disparities with wages remaining highest in London and the South East, while the North East has the lowest average pay. Wage growth, however, was fairly consistent across all regions between the period of observation (2004-2022). The report also notes that during this time, the minimum wage has increased at a faster rate than the median wage, suggesting that lower-paid workers are gaining a larger share of overall earnings. This trend is helping to reduce wage inequality which is demonstrated by the fact that the percentage of workers earning below two-thirds of the national median wage dropping significantly since 2014.

What we found – regional perspective

The data revealed that workers in the WGA earned a wage which was approximately 4% higher than the national average (excluding Greater London), but this reduced to just over 2% after taking other characteristics into consideration. The report estimates that the priority sectors contributed around 7% of this pay premium.

The analysis revealed that this pay advantage is unevenly distributed across the region. The average wage in the West of England was about 11% higher than in Gloucestershire, while higher wages in West of England are primarily driven by jobs in the City of Bristol and South Gloucestershire. The analysis also revealed that employees in Wiltshire (excluding Swindon) earned less than the national comparator group.

At the sector level, the analysis showed that wages in each of the five identified priority sectors are significantly higher compared to other sectors – e.g. those working in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering and Digital industries sector earn approximately 6% and 12% more than the national average. This advantage is further heightened for those working in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering sector in the WGA, who earn around 1.6% more on average than their counterparts in the same sector across the country. Despite employees working in the Digital industries recording above average wages, this advantage is somewhat offset for those working in the WGA. The analysis revealed that Digital industries sector workers in the WGA earned around 3.1% less than the national average for the same sector. This discrepancy is likely to be due to the specific sub-sector composition in the region, but warrants further exploration.

This research highlights the value of using microdata, such as that provided by the WED project. Th use of microdata can enable researchers to provide deeper insights, allowing for effective and targeted policymaking. The findings of this report suggests that priority sectors identified by Futures West are important for boosting living standards and productivity across the WGA. This work therefore provides support for targeted sector approaches.

Link to paper – What can microdata tell us about labour market and wage dynamics in the Western Gateway Area?

Damian Whittard

Damian Whittard is an Associate Professor in Economics and Programme Manager of the Wage and Employment Dynamics Project, where he leads a research programme creating a comprehensive labour market data spine for the UK. As an Academic Assessor for the Government Economic Service and Research Fellow funded by ADR UK, he specializes in economic measurement, labour markets, and green jobs research. His work has been presented at prestigious institutions including the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England, and his research has influenced policy through projects with organizations such as the Open Data Institute and the Low Pay Commission. Drawing from his previous experience at the Office for National Statistics and the South West Regional Development Agency, Damian brings extensive expertise in national accounts, regional economics, and evidence-based policy making to his academic role.

Principles versus rules in data and corporate governance

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Professor Felix Ritchie

In data governance, the question of principles- versus rules-based regulation is a knotty one: should best practice and operating standards be specified in regulation (rules-based), or should regulation provide the overall guidelines against which specific solutions can be measured (principles based). The former is compliance-focused and offers (notional) certainty, while the latter is outcome-focused and offers flexibility and adaptability to circumstances.

Both models come into and go out of fashion. As research data governance was evolving as a topic at the end of the 20th century, rules-based regulation was more in favour. However this century has seen a move to principles-based regulation, as in the UK Digital Economy Act 2017 and the Australian Data Access and Transparency Act 2022. European regulation provides a good example of this evolution: while the 1995 Data Protection Directive seeks to identify what is and is not anonymous data and what needs to done to it, the 2016 General Data Protection Regulation acknowledges a grey scale of data classifications, highlights the importance of technical measures and operational procedures in providing protection for data, and allows for much more flexibility in confidential data management.

There is a similar debate in regulation of financial markets. UK and US financial regulation is more likely to follow a principles-based approach, whereas European regulation is more rules-based. One would hope that a useful outcome of financial crises, such as those experienced by East Asian markets in the 1990s or the Western ‘global financial crisis’ of 2008 would be evidence for which is more effective, but apparently not…

Broader corporate governance also struggles with this issue. How do you ensure board-level integrity and ethics, without overly constraining business operations or creating perverse incentives? In 2018 The Risk Coalition (https://www.riskcoalition.org.uk/) was set up, a ‘network of not-for-profit professional bodies and membership organisations committed to raising the standards of risk management in the UK’. The Risk Coalition has been strongly advocating a principles-based approach to risk management and in 2019 it first published its guidelines Raising the Bar.

The covering image of the Raising your Game Consultation document. Text reads; Navigating risks, Explore opportunities, Improve decision making. Principles-based guidance to enhance risk governance and reporting. Image shows a sporty looking individual standing on a rock looking wistfully into a valley. The river running through the valley reflects the blue sky's above.

After an 18-month consultation, they have now produced a new draft, Raising Your Game. This is currently out for consultation but in its draft form it holds a lot of useful lessons for data governance. The core message is ‘good ethics leads to lower risk’, but it also has a strong  emphasis on the need for decision-makers to have the training and information to use these principles effectively. These are ideas which we at DRAGoN have been keen to promote as well, and many of the principles in the document can be directly related to good data governance.

One area where there is a difference between corporate governance and (public sector) data governance is the perception of risk as something to be managed or avoided. The Risk Coalition is all about risk management; that is, the normal activities of a business will involve risk and uncertainty, and the function of the guidelines is to prevent those risks becoming excessive. In contrast, public sector research data governance is, as we have written many times before, predominantly default closed and concerned with risk avoidance. Hence, for data governance the key principles also need to include “be  clear about your goals and the value to society” and “always evaluate options as ‘how will I achieve my goals most effectively?’ and not ‘can I achieve my goal?’”.

Responding to the consultation

The Risk Coalition invites stakeholders from all sectors to participate in the public consultation process.

The consultation closes on Monday, 16th September 2024, and stakeholders are encouraged to submit their responses and feedback via the provided this Google Form link or by emailing their consultation feedback to: team@riskcoalition.org.uk

Francesco Tava Awarded Prestigious Czech Fellowship

Author ripleywk | Posted on

We’re excited to announce that Dr Francesco Tava has been awarded the Josef Dobrovský Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship will enable Francesco to undertake an intensive two-week research stay at the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

The Josef Dobrovský Fellowship offers international scholars a chance to conduct short-term research at the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS). This program, lasting 15 to 45 days, welcomes Ph.D. students, postdocs, and senior researchers focusing on Czech-related studies. Fields of interest include history, culture, art, linguistics, geography, ethnography, and natural sciences.

Fellows can advance their research projects while fostering connections with CAS institutes. This opportunity allows for in-depth exploration of Czech-centric topics and collaboration with local experts.

The Josef Dobrovský Fellowship is a highly competitive program that supports international scholars in their pursuit of Czech-related studies. Francesco’s successful application speaks volumes about the quality and relevance of his research in the field of philosophy.

During his stay, Francesco will have the opportunity to:

  1. Immerse himself in the rich philosophical resources available at the Institute
  2. Collaborate with leading Czech scholars in his area of expertise
  3. Advance his current research project with access to specialized materials
  4. Forge valuable connections within the Czech academic community

This fellowship not only recognizes Francesco’s scholarly contributions but also promises to yield exciting developments in his research. We look forward to the insights and discoveries that will emerge from this intensive two-week period.

Stay tuned for updates on Francesco’s research progress and any publications that may result from this valuable opportunity.

Dr. Francesco Tava is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at UWE Bristol, specializing in political philosophy, phenomenology, and applied ethics. His research focuses on political solidarity in Europe and data ethics. Francesco has authored “The Risk of Freedom” (2016) and edited several scholarly works. He leads the BA Philosophy program at UWE and is co-Editor-in-Chief of Future Humanities. His current projects include a monograph on political solidarity and work on ethical models for data governance. Beyond academia, Francesco co-founded Thought in Action, partnering UWE with Bristol’s Watershed cinema to foster intellectual discourse.

EVENT: How can councils enhance their utilisation of data for research, evaluation, and decision-making?

Author ripleywk | Posted on

In the last webinar of the season Abdinasir Kowdan and Orla Dunn will be presenting a talk on “How can councils enhance their utilisation of data for research, evaluation, and decision-making?” This engaging webinar promises to delve into the crucial role of data in informing decision-making processes within local councils.

Their research aims to explore strategies and best practices that can empower councils to leverage data more effectively, fostering evidence-based decision-making, robust evaluation, and impactful research initiatives. With their expertise and insights, this talk will undoubtedly shed light on the transformative potential of data-driven governance.

Whether you’re a researcher, a council member, or simply someone passionate about data-driven policymaking, this event is an excellent opportunity to broaden your understanding and gain valuable insights from this work.

Sign up now and get involved with the conversation.

Date: 08/05/24

Time:6pm

Register for free.

April 24: Save the date for the next instalment of the DRAGoN Seminar Series!

Author ripleywk | Posted on

We’re excited to announce our upcoming session, “Data Governance and Religion”, led by the Juan Carlos. Join us on April 24th at 6:00 PM for what promises to be a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of data governance and religious perspectives.

Seminar Details:

Date and Time: April 24, 2024, at 6:00 PM

Location: The seminar will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. Joining instructions will be provided upon registration.

Registration: As always, our seminars are free and open to all who are interested. Secure your spot by registering at this link.

EVENT: Better Data; Better Research; Better Policy in partnership with ADR UK

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Research Development Workshop: Better Data; Better Research; Better Policy

In person event.

Date: Tuesday 21 May 24

Registration: Register here

Background

ADR UK is transforming the way researchers access the UK’s wealth of public sector data. By joining up the abundance of administrative data already being created by government and public bodies across the UK, and making it available to approved researchers in a safe and secure way, they are enabling vital research. These datasets are already supporting the production of world leading academic studies, while leading to better informed policy decisions and more effective public services in areas from improving education and healthcare to tackling crime.

ADR UK flagship datasets are of significant research value and will have wide appeal to researchers and policy makers and analysts. ADR UK have funded and made available a number of new large-scale dataset which are currently underutilised in research. The datasets cover the following themes: 

  • Children & Young People 
  • Climate & Sustainability 
  • Crime & Justice 
  • Health & Wellbeing 
  • Housing & Communities 
  • Inequality & Social Inclusion 
  • World of Work

Several of the ADR UK funded ‘World of Work’ datasets have been created in Bristol by UWE’s Wage and Employment Dynamics team – see www.wagedynamics.com. As such, the UWE research team will be at hand to talk about their experience and provide tailored guidance and support for anyone interested in using these, or any other ADR UK funded datasets in their research.

If you would like to find out more about the datasets; how to access them; what funding is available to support research using these datasets; and network with like-minded peers, then you should sign up to this workshop.

Workshop aims

The aims of the workshop are to bring academics and policy makers together to raise awareness of the ADR UK datasets; inform academic and government researchers about how they can get access these datasets; identify what funding schemes are available to support research using these datasets; and give delegates the chance to connect with others and jointly explore research ideas that can be addressed using the new ADR UK datasets.

Through a combination of presentations and facilitated discussions, the objective is to stimulate ideas for research, and encourage and support individuals and research collaborators to bid for funding to further their research agenda and improve the evidence base needed for better policy.

Who is behind the workshop?

The workshop is a collaboration between the University of the West of England, ADR UK and the Office for National Statistics, with support from research funders and academics who have previously been funded to produce pathfinder research using at least one of the ADR UK datasets.

Who should attend

We expect the workshop to be attended by researchers (in academia, government, or the third or private sectors) and ‘policy makers’ (including national and regional government analysts in policy areas). Specifically, this workshop should be of interest to

  • Researchers who have (or would like to develop) an interest in empirical microdata research, which uses unit level observations (e.g. individual, enterprise etc.).
  • Researchers looking to explore new research areas.
  • Policy makers with specific questions not currently (or obviously) addressed by existing research.
  • Policy makers wishing to explore the potential for research collaborations in their areas of research interest.

We strongly encourage participation by early-career researchers and PhD students.

Activities

The workshop will take the form of presentations and Q&As in the morning session, followed by more detailed case studies and interactive workshops in the afternoon. The workshops will be facilitated by thematic experts with experience of the datasets.

Timing

The workshops will be held as follows:

LocationUniversity of West of England, Frenchay Campus, Bristol Business School (X-Block)  
Date21st May 2024
Arrival10.00 – 10.30: Registration and Morning Refreshments
Morning Session10.30 – 10.40: Opening Remarks  
Professor Yvonne Beach: Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Business and Law, UWE  
10.40 – 11.10: ADR UK Flagship Datasets
Emily Oliver and Elizabeth Pattinson: Research and Capacity Building, ADR UK   11.10 – 11.30: Accessing and working with microdata  
Alice McTiernan, Phil Yule and Liam Jones Office for National Statistics  
11.30 – 11.45: Research Funding for ADR UK Datasets
Alex Beer: Head of Grants Operations and Portfolio Development, Nuffield Foundation  
11.45 – 12.00: Panel Q&A  
Lunch12.00 – 12.40
Afternoon Session (1)Research Case Studies using ADR UK flagship datasets
12.40 – 13.00: The Value of Green Jobs –
Damian Whittard: Associate Professor, UWE  
13.00 – 13.20: Family Justice –
Dr Ludivine Garside: Senior Research Associate, University of Bristol  
13.20 – 13.40: Teacher Predicted vs. Achieved Grades for          University Admission –
Professor George Leckie: University of Bristol  
13.40 – 14.00: Low Pay and Labour Mobility – Professor Felix   Ritchie, UWE  
14.00 – 14.15: Panel Q&A  
Coffee break14:15 – 14:30
Afternoon Session (2)14:30 -15:30 Workshop Session:
Bringing academics and policy analysts together to explore ideas for research using the ADR UK flagship datasets  
 15:30 – 16:00 Closing remarks and Refreshments

Attendance fee and registration

Register here

There is no fee for attending. Registration is required to allow planning for catering, registering with security and in case of over-subscription. The event will be limited to a maximum of 50 participants. Delegates will receive confirmation of their place at least seven days in advance of the event. If oversubscribed, delegates who were unable to attend will be sent a summary report and invited to any future events.  

Contact details

For further information, please contact damian2.whittard@uwe.ac.uk

April 9 at 5pm: DRAGoN Webinar Series: Thinking of data as an economic good

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The Spring 2024 DRAGoN Webinar Series continues to ignite curiosity and spark discussions with our upcoming session, “Thinking of data as an economic good: what it can (not) teach us about data governance.” Join us on April 9 at an earlier than usual time of 5pm for an insightful exploration by Nadya Purtova from Utrecht University and UWE’s Damien Whittard.

Register now

Seminar Details:

  • Date and Time: April 9, 2024, at 5:00 PM
  • Speakers: Nadya Purtova (Utrecht University) and Damien Whittard

Seminar Focus: Discuss a unique perspective on data governance by viewing data through the lens of economics. Discover how considering data as an economic good can inform strategies for effective data management practices, and where it can also limit us.

Registration: Our webinars are free and open to any who are interested. To receive joining information, please register at this link.

DRAGoN Webinars: Protecting Confidentiality in Non-Statistical Activities.

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Excitement is in the air as we kick off the Spring 2024 DRAGoN Seminar Series! Join us this Wednesday, 13th March, for our inaugural session, “Protecting Confidentiality in Non-Statistical Activities.” with Felix Ritchie and Elizabeth Green

Key Highlights:

  • Date and Time: * Date change due to technical difficulties* Wednesday, 13 March 6-7pm GM
  • Venue: Microsoft teams online meeting

Agenda: Explore the crucial realm of data confidentiality with a focus on non-statistical activities. Gain practical insights and solutions from front line researchers in data governance.

Registration: Secure your spot here. Our Webinars are online, free and accessible to all.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your understanding of data protection. Join us for an enlightening session on 6th March at the Spring 2024 DRAGoN Seminar Series.

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