Highlights from day one of the Scientific Conference 2015
Hundreds of social scientists headed to the Understanding Society Scientific Conference today to share their research based on longitudinal data.
Based at the University of Essex, the Conference was opened by the new director of the study, Professor Michaela Benzeval who detailed the features of the study which includes the Innovation Panel, the Policy Unit and the recent health data.
“With four waves of data now available, Understanding Society offers researchers and policy makers unique insights in the short and long term causes of consequences of changes in people’s social and economic circumstances, family lives, the environments in which they live, and their health and behaviours,” commented Michaela.
During her introduction, Michaela also welcomed David Walker who is now the Chair of the Understanding Society Governing Board. He is a writer and broadcaster specialising in public policy and management.
David commented on why the Government should value social science research by quoting the speech that Tony Blair delivered in 1999.
“There is no more powerful symbol of our politics than the experience of being on a maternity ward.”
“Seeing two babies side by side. Delivered by the same doctors and midwives. Yet two totally different lives ahead of them."
Recent UK policy changes were discussed
Next on the stage was Professor Sara Arber from the University of Southampton who delivered a keynote speech on ageing, sleep and caregiving. In her research she has been using data from Understanding Society to reach the following findings:
- Being employed/self-employed in the late sixties is associated with health and educational advantages.
- Being married and being in a happy relationship are the strongest indicators of good sleeping patterns. The worst sleep was evidenced in divorcees; it was particularly worse for divorced women.
- Co-resident care-giving is strongly associated with poor sleep. If care providers work more than 100 hours, their sleep is significantly affected.
She concluded by saying that Understanding Society is an “Invaluable resource with massive analytic potential to answer key theoretical and policy questions.”
Successful impact workshop
The team from closer led a workshop based on how researchers can achieve impact by engaging more with stakeholders.
The session had commentary from Richard Bartholomew, Chair for the Longitudinal Studies Strategic Advisory Board and Vicky Jones, a Policy Advisor from Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Richard shared the ROAMEF Cycle and some key messages for researchers.
“Research impact is rarely linear or immediate and research is one of many inputs to policy process.”
The day was closed with plenaries sessions on poverty and earning loss, fertility decisions and a workshop on longitudinal modelling with longitudinal households.
Tweet of the day – 18 retweets
Tomorrow’s highlights
- Don’t miss the drop-in session where you can meet the Understanding Society team members and ask them questions about the study.
- There will also be a workshop on Genetic data in Understanding Society and a workshop on the Socio-Cultural Integration of New Immigrants in Europe.