Understanding Society provides data and independent, robust evidence to decision makers – in the UK and across the world.
We work with organisations to help you use longitudinal research, shape new thinking and inform policy. Our data can highlight the short and long-term causes and consequences of social change. It can help you examine a social problem, spot an emerging need or examine the effects of policy.
Policy events
Our range of panel-discussion events, seminars and conferences bring together organisations with common interests to assess and debate current and emerging issues, the latest research findings and the implications for policy from different perspectives.
Challenge labs and co-production
Our investigative workshops are more in-depth and designed to bring people together from different disciplines and sectors to use our data to produce new knowledge, and move thinking forward, on policy. Branded as ‘research springboards’, these start with a societal challenge and facilitate co-designed and co-produced research over a series of workshops.
Publications
We provide the latest evidence as it becomes available in our publications library, provide Briefing Notes, produce an annual Insights report showcasing policy relevant research, and our case studies demonstrate impact.
Direct Access
Direct Access is a research support service for Understanding Society’s co-funding government departments and devolved administrations. It provides bespoke support to analysts and policy advisors in:
- data analysis
- longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis
- compilation of data sets
- literature search and review
- proposals for Innovation Panel (IP) experiments and Associated Studies
Previous examples include:
- Department for Work and Pensions analysis for their Income Dynamics which provides estimates of the rates of persistent low income and of income mobility
- Scottish Government for analysis on vaping from different surveys, including Understanding Society.
Training
For those new to Understanding Society, we run sector-specific training to help you use the data effectively.
If you or your organisation would like to find out more about accessing and using Understanding Society, please contact us.