ADR UK convened an expert panel at the Royal Statistical Society’s annual conference in Edinburgh, bringing together researchers who are using linked administrative datasets to generate new evidence on pressing social and economic issues.
Dr Damian Whittard, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of the West of England, presented analysis from the Wage and Employment Dynamics project on labour market trends in Great Britain. The work highlights regional disparities and long-term shifts in employment patterns, providing valuable insights for economic development strategies. Drawing on the ASHE-Census 2011 dataset, he also examined the transition to the green economy, showing that while green jobs offer a pay premium and can help narrow some inter-occupation pay gaps, they remain marked by gender and ethnic inequalities. These findings underline the need for policies that align net-zero goals with equity in the labour market. Throughout their research, the WED team have engaged widely with stakeholders including UK Government representatives, local government, charities, and businesses.
Check out Damian’s presentation slides here.
Dr Ezgi Kaya, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Cardiff University, shared findings from her research using the ASHE-Census linked dataset. Her work compares the labour market outcomes of immigrant workers with those of UK-born workers, offering fresh insights into earnings and employment differentials. By collaborating with a project advisory board that included voluntary and community sector organisations, research groups, and trade unions, her research is helping to inform debates on immigration and workforce planning.
Dr Angela Sorsby, Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Sheffield, presented her research on the impact of ethnicity and gender on sentencing outcomes in the community. Her findings are contributing to discussions on fairness and equity in the criminal justice system, with direct engagement from key stakeholders such as the Crown Prosecution Service, Revolving Doors, the Prison Reform Trust, and the Sentencing Academy.
Together, these contributions demonstrated the unique value of ADR UK’s linked datasets in shaping evidence-based policy and advancing debates on the economy, labour markets, and justice.