On 23-25 April, the UK Data Service Impact team hosted a Data Impact event, Poverty in Data. Across three sessions we had over 200 people attend and engage with research, data and discussion on this vital topic.
Workshop for early career researchers
Over 20 early career researchers participated in a workshop on 23 April in Manchester as part of the event. The session opened with a thought-provoking and challenging keynote speech from Professor Donald Hirsch.
Some of our previous Data Impact Fellows also participated in a Q&A panel on their experiences as early career researchers. Two roundtable sessions, as well as informal chats over lunch, gave space for participants to network and talk about poverty research, impact and shared challenges.
Perspectives on Poverty
The following day, our Perspectives on Poverty session offered a variety of views on the topic of poverty and the role data and research can play in facilitating change. We developed a pre-recorded webinar that allowed several different voices to be heard that a live session wouldn’t have. We hope this can be a resource moving forward and offer insights, inspire research and prompt discussion on this topic.
The session featured contributions from Christina Adane, a campaigner working at the intersection of social justice and youth culture, and Professor Nissa Finney, who introduced the Evidence for Equality National Survey (EVENS), which provides novel data on the experiences and inequalities faced by ethnic and religious minorities in Britain. We also presented work from Social Justice Chester and the West Cheshire Community Inspirers, who have been working together on a co-production project with those who have lived experience of poverty.
Research, policy and next steps
Our final session was a live webinar with presentations from a panel followed by a Q&A. Our Deputy Director, Professor Debora Price, hosted the panel, which featured four panellists:
• Helen Barnard, Director of Policy, Research and Impact at The Trussell Trust
• Ed Davies, Policy Director at The Centre for Social Justice
• Lalitha Try, Economist with Resolution Foundation
• Peter Matejic, Chief Analyst at The Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Each panellist shared a ten-minute presentation on their work and insights into the role of data in poverty research and advocacy, as well as existing gaps and challenges. The Q&A included some great questions from those in attendance.
Keep an eye on our website for more information and more resources coming out of this event.