News and Blog

On Thursday 5th February, 2015, WISERD celebrated the official launch of its flagship Civil Society Research Centre. WISERD’s Director Ian Rees Jones reflects upon a successful event. I spent a nervous few days prior to the WISERD Civil Society Research Centre launch. I wondered whether we would have an audience, hoped all the speakers would arrive safely, and fretted over…

A new book by John Hills explores key issues in the current debate about ‘welfare’ and the welfare state. The debate contrasts a stagnant group of people benefiting from it all with the rest who pay in and get nothing back – ‘skivers’ against ‘strivers’. John explains how, because people’s lives and circumstances change, most…

On Thursday 5th February, 2015, WISERD’s flagship Civil Society Research Centre enjoyed its official launch. The event was attended by some of the world’s foremost academics, public and policy stakeholders, and civil society organisations. Speakers included: Ruth Marks (MBE), Chief Executive of the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA); Rhodri Morgan, former First Minister for Wales;…

The Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD) will celebrate the launch of its flagship WISERD Civil Society Research Centre on Thursday 5th February, 2015. WISERD has received funding in excess of £10 million to found a national research centre which will undertake a five year innovative and far-reaching research programme…

Since the publication in mid-January of the second report on educational outcomes using national administrative data was published, the Foundation Phase has been under considerable media scrutiny. Over the past three years WISERD has undertaken an independent evaluation for the Welsh Government of the Foundation Phase for three to seven year olds in Wales, and will soon be making its…

Professor David Blackaby was interviewed by Lucy Owen for X-Ray. She spoke to him regarding the recent inflation/deflation of food prices and the reasons for this and effect this has on consumers.

This blog was originally featured on the British Election Study website. Academic analysis and media commentary have shifted the emphasis in explaining United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) support away from Tory voter defectors towards working class voters, and potential Labour supporters. This was a good corrective to earlier emphases. But has the new focus on…

Preliminary results from the Evaluating the Foundation Phase second report for Welsh Government received significant online coverage from local media. ITV – http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2015-01-20/first-ministers-questions/ Wales Online – https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/foundation-phase-hoped-break-link-8409110 BBC News – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-30718293

First Minister Carwyn Jones comments on the Evaluating the Foundation Phase second report for Welsh Government – following questions from Welsh Lib Dem Leader Kirsty Williams. A copy of the coverage can be accessed below. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/pressures-wales-ae-easing-first-8482982

One of the UK’s leading social policy experts, Professor John Hills, headlines an impressive panel for a book launch organised by the Bevan Foundation and the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD). Professor Hills, Director of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion at the London School of Economics, will…