Exploring Structural Inequalities
Year-long project, in collaboration with the Resolution Foundation think tank and multiple external partners, exploring structural inequalities in UK society.
22 January 2020
'Exploring Inequalities: Igniting research to better inform UK policy' combined research and evidence on inequalities in the UK, with the aim of facilitating informed and joined-up policy making. The projectprovided a multi-disciplinary exploration of the nature of, and intersections between,forms of structural inequality.
By bringing together a broad range of experts from academia, research, third sector organisations, business, policy, government and elsewhere, the project aimed to cut across standard research and policy boundaries to synthesise and deepen our understanding of inequalities in the UK.
Critically, the work sought out ga.ps in collective knowledgein order to facilitate informed, evidence-based research agendas and policymaking at all levels of government. The study addressed multiple and inter-related inequalities across four thematic areas:Education; Employment;Health; and Housing
About the project
The project was a collaboration between ’s Grand Challenge of Justice and Equality, Public Policy, and the , funded by ’s Knowledge Exchange Fund (HEIF).
Conceived of by Siobhan Morris, Katherine Welch, and in collaboration with Matthew Whittaker, the project aimed to break through the silos that can sometimes arise when focusing on an area as broad as ‘inequality’.The project sought to challenge researchers, businesses, practitioners and policymakers to think disruptively to generate new solutions totackle inequalities in UK society, by bringing together academic expertise at with authoritative analytical research from theResolution Foundationand leading experts from a range of fields. The project is addressing questions including:
- What are the current policy challenges in tackling embedded structural and relational inequalities in the UK, and why do they exist?
- How are inequalities experienced in relation to one another, how are these cumulative, and how do they overlap?
- How are such inequalities sustained?
- How can we better connect quantitative and qualitative data on different forms of inequality in the UK to produce robust evidence for policy?
- How can data be accessed and used in innovative ways to better link inequality research across disciplines?
In total, over 50 organisations drawn from different sectors and from across the UK took part – exchanging knowledge, sharing insights, building partnerships, and co-creating new research agendas. Discussions at the six roundtable workshops focused on reviewing and synthesising our understanding of inequalities, identifying gaps in our collective knowledge, and responses to these to facilitate informed, joined‑up policy making at all levels of government and in research agendas.
Briefing papers and summaries of discussions from each roundtable were prepared by Fahmida Rahman, Oliver Patel and Dr Clare Stainthorp.Alongside their roles in leading the project, Dr Olivia Stevenson and Siobhan Morris conducted multiple interviews with Civil Servants and policy professionals to supplement discussions. Additionally, a total of 38 meetings with key influencers and experts from NGOs, charities, think tanks, and business leaders were also held to ensure a breadth of views and insights across the devolved nations.
The project team also tested initial findings through a series of engagements. This has included an interim discussion of findings at the Equally Ours Policy Forum in London, a talk entitled, “Why intersectionality is key to tackling inequality” to the UK Communities Foundation AGM in Glasgow, presenting the project and issue of structural inequality at a one day conference for sixth form students from schools across the South of England.
Through all of these activities, the work has forged networks and relationships that didn’t previously exist, but which we hope will bear considerable future fruit in terms of collaborations and the deepening of our collective understanding of structural inequalities in the UK. We look forward to discussing where next, for both research and policy initiatives, aimed at tackling inequalities.
About the Partners
Grand Challengesis ’s flagship programme to cultivate cross-disciplinary collaborations that explore pathways to solutions across six major strands related to matters of pressing societal concern.The Grand Challenge of Justice & Equalityfosters cross-disciplinary research from , examining the barriers that people face to just solutions and equality of opportunity.
is an award-winning independent think-tank focused on improving the living standards for those on low to middle incomes, working across a wide range of economic policy areas. They are a leading UK authority on securing widely-shared economic growth.
connects researchers with policy professionals, to inform policy with evidence.
Project members
The project seeks to cut across standard research and policy boundaries by bringing together a broad range of experts from academia, business, the charity sector, NGOs, and government.
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Project Impact
Sir Simon Woolley,Founder and Director of Operation Black Vote, and Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society were the key note speakers, alongside Siobhan Morris, Dr Olivia Stevenson and Matt Whittaker.
The report has generated significant media interest with coverage in the national press as well as publications in sector-leading media outfits, including , , , and . The report was also referenced during in the House of Lords by Lord Bilimoria.
Following its launch, the project team have been invited to discussfindings through a series of engagements, includingat the Government Equalities Office, the Confederation of British Industry, Ministry of Justice, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Equally Ours Policy Forum, Welsh Centre for Public Policy, a talk entitled, “Why intersectionality is key to tackling inequality” to the UK Communities Foundation AGM in Glasgow, and presenting the project and a discussion of structural inequality at one day conference for sixth form students from schools across the South of England.
In addition, the authors have conducted events for employers,a , and the report was referenced in the .In October 2020, project leads delivered a on tackling structural inequalities in UK society.