We’re delighted to announce the winners of this year’s UK Data Service Dissertation Award, which celebrates outstanding undergraduate research using archived data available through the UK Data Service.
The judging panel comprised Professor Alex Bryson, Professor of Quantitative Social Science at UCL’s Social Research Institute, Dr Roxanne Connelly, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Quantitative Methods, University of Edinburgh, and Dr Jen Buckley from the UK Data Service Training and User Support team.
Following a review of the shortlisted dissertations, the panel selected three winners, each receiving a prize of £300. Congratulations to the winners!
Winning dissertations
Exploring associations between natural parenthood and biological ageing using epigenetic clocks
Lily Douglas, University College London
Data used: Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study
Lily investigated associations between parenthood and biological ageing using Understanding Society data from the UK Data Service. The research examined how having children, raising children, family size, and age at first birth relate to biological ageing, providing new insights into the potential long-term health implications of parenthood and the factors that may shape healthy ageing. Judges praised the work for its innovative analysis using unique data.
Quantifying the effect of a hypothetical 10% increase in alcohol taxation on productivity in the UK
Charlie Studer Schrader, Durham University
Data used: Living Costs and Food Survey (LCFS)
Charlie explored how an increase in alcohol duty could affect productivity in the UK using Living Costs and Food Survey data from the UK Data Service SecureLab. The analysis estimated productivity gains of around £14.5 billion over 25 years, highlighting the potential economic benefits of alcohol taxation. Judges commended the work for its exceptional, policy-relevant data analysis.
Transport connectivity and the coastal health penalty in England
Mehmet Güner Mertcan, University College London
Data used: 2021 Census data for England
Güner investigated whether differences in transport connectivity could help explain the longstanding health disadvantage experienced by some coastal communities in England. Drawing on 2021 Census data accessed through the UK Data Service, the research explored how the relationship between transport and health varies across different coastal contexts. Judges praised the work for its exemplary use of data, analysis, and presentation.
The judges praised the high standard of this year’s entries and also commended the other shortlisted dissertations:
- Muaadh Tanveer, University of Kent – Using Next Steps data, this dissertation examined the relationship between family cohesion in adolescence and earnings in adulthood.
- Noah Coombs, University of Cambridge – Using the Farm Business Survey, this dissertation explored the role of farm diversification in building resilience in rural economies.