News and Blog

Groundbreaking research pioneered in Wales is transforming how childcare provision is understood and delivered across England, as new evidence shows the UK’s most detailed analysis of ‘childcare deserts’ and ‘childcare oases’ is built on methods developed by Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) academics. The researchers at WISERD – a collaboration…

In South Wales, the Community Impact Initiative (The Cii) is transforming lives through hands-on construction projects. By renovating vacant homes with the help of local participants, The Cii creates opportunities for personal growth, skill-building, and community regeneration. As part of WISERD’s Building Social Value and Fair Work in Construction project, The Cii stands out as…

Randomised control trials (RCTs) are often described as the ‘gold standard’ for testing whether new treatments or interventions work. In this blog, Dr Ian Thomas who leads the ADR Wales Housing and Homelessness thematic area, looks at the use of linked administrative data as part of RCTs. Drawing on a pilot trial of an intervention for…

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Aaron Thierry, Cardiff University In Brownsville, Texas, three members of the Galvan family died after a malfunctioning air conditioner left them exposed to extreme heat. Aged between 60 and 82, all three had chronic health conditions, including diabetes and…

Our emerging research findings are published in two new non-technical briefing papers that reveal issues around indigenous peoples’ citizenship rights in India and the contemporary challenges they face in safeguarding their land, culture and languages. The research team comprises (L-R, front) Dr Reenu Punnoose (Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad) and Dr Muhammed Haneefa (Indian Institute…

As a part of our Academy of Medical Sciences funded project on civil society and indigenous languages in India, we have conducted workshops among indigenous tribal communities in Rajasthan and Kerala, and discussed the issues and challenges they face, including safeguarding their culture, language and everyday socio-economic life. By way of context, Rajasthan is home…

As part of my research on the new Building social value and fair work in the construction industry in Wales UKRI ESRC-funded WISERD Project, I’m exploring how the construction sector can create real opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. One powerful example of this in action is SibiNet, an initiative that’s opening doors for people…

The construction industry in Wales delivers more than just buildings and infrastructure; it also provides training and employment opportunities for people facing barriers to achieving their full potential. I am Jemma, a researcher based at WISERD at Cardiff University, and my research examines how the construction industry in Wales creates social value. In 2023, Wales…

Over recent years, successive parliamentary committees have recommended expansion of the devolved benefits system in Wales. In 2024, the Welsh Government confirmed that its goal was: ‘A person-centred, compassionate, and consistent approach to the design and delivery of Welsh benefits, underpinned by the Welsh Benefits Charter principles’ – including compassion, equality and human rights. There…

ADR Wales has been awarded almost £26million to continue its ground-breaking work using administrative data to inform public policy and improve lives across Wales. The funding will run from 2026-2031 and was officially announced today by the Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS during his address to delegates at the ADR UK Conference in Cardiff. Following…