The Policy Unit

Understanding Society provides independent, up-to-date evidence to decision makers in the UK and across the world.

We believe long-term studies can make a positive difference to the lives of people living in the UK. Our Policy Unit works with organisations to enhance their understanding of longitudinal research, facilitate knowledge exchange, shape new thinking and inform policy.

Policy Fellowships

Policy Fellowships support researchers who undertake a social science research project which has the potential to make a substantial contribution to informing and influencing public policy using Understanding Society data.

Data Notes

The Understanding Society Data Notes series gives brief snapshots of data on key issues.

Calls for evidence

29 Feb

The economics of Universal Credit

The Economic Affairs Committe has launched an inquiry into the economics of Universal Credit. The Committee will examine...

How we work

The Policy Unit works with researchers and data users to provide analytical support and build partnerships and networks.

Sharing your research and generating impact

Information, advice and guidance on sharing your research with policymakers and generating impact.

Research Vouchers

Third sector organisations with innovative research ideas can benefit from research worth up to £10000.

Get in touch

Contact the Policy Unit.

Projects More

Children's mental health in the transition from childhood to adolescence

Investigating the different trajectories of mental health among adolescents to better understand which factors are associated with better mental health.

The financial and subjective impact of transitions into parenthood

Understanding the impact of parenthood on measures such as income, hours worked and childcare.

Young, female and forgotten?

The Young Women's Trust worked with Understanding Society to look at why economic inactivity is disproportionately high amongst young women.

Latest case studies More

Parents and children — Exploring mothers employment patterns in Scotland

The Scottish Government uses Understanding Society for reseach on mothers returning to work and gender roles and attitudes.

retired couple — Exploring the implications of pensions policies

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uses British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) data in its modelling of pension policy implications.

Woman on computer — Improving knowledge through survey experiments

How the Understanding Society Innovation Panel informs survey design and scientific knowledge

older woman — How well are older people doing?

Age UK use Understanding Society to create an Index of Wellbeing in Later Life.