News and Blog

WISERD partners with Strike Map to integrate new data on union strength

In an exciting new collaboration, WISERD’s UnionMaps data has been integrated into Strike Map,  a worker-powered and funded map of industrial action, which has mapped 230,000 strikes since 2020. The combined functionality of both platforms will allow users to see union strength in the areas where industrial action is happening. Rhys Davies, WISERD co-director and…

ADR Wales secures major funding to continue vital data research through to 2031

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…

Devolution and civil society could help to create a counter-narrative for sanctuary seekers

Refugees and asylum seekers in the UK In March this year, over 100,000 people were seeking asylum in the UK. 30% of these people were living in hotels, and all were banned from working and received £7 a day to cover basic needs. The UK has seen over 3,000 applications from unaccompanied children over the…

How scientists can contribute to social movements and climate action

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Aaron Thierry, Cardiff University and Tristram Wyatt, University of Oxford Despite decades of scientists’ warnings about climate and ecological breakdown, record-breaking heat and escalating environmental disasters have become commonplace. Science has been attacked, dismissed and politicised, and the world…

WISERD Annual Conference 2025

On the 30 June and 1 July, the 15th WISERD Annual Conference took place at Aberystwyth University, welcoming over 130 delegates. The agenda comprised 14 paper sessions, two panels, and three symposia and workshops under the theme of ‘Participation and partnership in a time of precarity and polarisation’. For the first time, this year’s agenda…

New research on the contemporary human rights situation of indigenous peoples in Nepal

Our new research examines the contemporary human rights situation of indigenous peoples (IP) in Nepal. By way of context, Nepal has around 26.5 million IP, comprising at least 35 per cent of the total population. Alternatively known as Adivasi, some organisations claim the actual proportion would be closer to 50 per cent if some presently…

New care home inspection ratings should be considered alongside information on local availability

The care home sector is experiencing pressures arising from the fall-out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of Brexit on staff shortages, especially impacting on the registered nursing workforce. This is compounded by longer-term financial pressures and on-going staff recruitment concerns, particularly following the latest proposed changes to immigration policy.  The introduction of a…

Keynote speaker for WISERD Annual Conference 2025 is Professor Irene Hardill from Northumbria University

We are delighted to announce that the keynote speaker for the WISERD Annual Conference 2025 is Professor Irene Hardill from Northumbria University. Professor Hardill’s keynote address will explore how the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the crucial role of civil society and charities in addressing inequality and unmet needs. It will also explore research examining voluntary action…

Register for the WISERD Annual Conference

We are pleased to announce that the website for booking your free tickets for the WISERD Annual Conference 2025 is now LIVE! The conference is taking place on Monday 30 June – Tuesday 1 July at Aberystwyth University. Book here: WISERD Annual Conference | Prifysgol Aberystwyth University Please select the ticket option ‘2025 Attendees’ –…