Understanding Society is hosting a free three-day research ‘springboard’ to facilitate data analysis, using Understanding Society data, into the enormous population health challenges we face. The springboard will benefit quantitative researchers and analysts from academia, government departments, public health organisations, health and social care services, charities, employers and industry bodies, NIHR Applied Research Collaborations and think tanks.
Policy challenges
It can be difficult to enjoy and fully participate in education, work, relationships and family life, and community without good mental and physical health. The UK faces challenges to the economy from poor workforce health, growing health inequalities and stagnating life expectancy. Health services are under severe strain. While future demand for health services is expected to continue growing, significant resources end up going into treating preventable diseases – but there is also a growing recognition that health and illness are a result of the interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors.
Many health problems have long antecedents, so panel data are a powerful tool for investigating the drivers and consequences of changes in population health. The Study collects objective and subjective measures of health, and detailed information on other areas of life such as employment, education, income and deprivation, wellbeing, and civic participation. These measures are important for understanding all the different but interacting drivers of health and disease and to join up policy thinking.
The health springboard will focus on four broad areas:
- Topic 1: Young adults (16-29) and health
- Topic 2: Money, Finance and Health
- Topic 3: Work and Health
- Topic 4: Disability and health
Research Springboard: an opportunity to learn collectively and progress ideas
Some challenges are too big and complex for any one organisation and need multiple perspectives. Our research springboard will harness collective knowledge and skills from across varied organisations, cross-fertilise ideas and facilitate social learning. The three-day co-production workshop will investigate policy and research questions using Understanding Society data, bringing together about 30 to 35 quantitative researchers and analysts from different sectors and disciplines, in a supportive learning environment. It will include presentations from experts who will share their policy perspectives on specific health challenges we face.
The research springboard will take place online over the following dates in 2023: 28 March (in person), 20 April (online) and 4 May (online).
How to take part
If you would like to be part of the Research Springboard please contact Policy and Partnerships Manager Robin Vanner by email robin.vanner@essex.ac.uk
If are not familiar with using Understanding Society data, you can sign-up to our free two-day introductory course on 8 and 9 March 2023 (in R, STATA and SPSS).
