The 2023/24 CRESR Seminar Series ran from September 2023 - June 2024 and all the details relating to each seminar can be found below. If you have any queries relating to these, please contact us.

Download 'Rhythms of recycling in apartments: how can the waste burden be more justly distributed? (PDF, 8.4MB)' slides (PDF, 8.4MB)

Abstract

Ralph Horne with co-author, Bhavna Middha

Apartments are of particular interest in zero waste debates. They are associated with lower recycling rates than other housing typologies. Plastic bag levy policies have been found to have a significant effect among owner-occupiers of high-rise apartments with higher socio-economic status, but a minimal effect among lower socio-economic households and renters. This points to the unequal effects of waste reduction measures across housing types, class, and tenure types.

Paying heed to rhythms of urban waste can provide insights into how the waste burden can be more justly distributed. In Australia, as in other owner-occupier, suburban based societies, housing is an essential locus for the domestic waste regime, and apartments are anomalies that disrupt it. Rather than assuming that the aforementioned lower recycling rates are a product of household behaviour, we present empirical research that reveals dynamics at play that make apartments incompatible with normalised waste regimes. Spatio-temporal knowledge of waste and apartment living is embodied and experienced, doing places and doing times form the rhythms of waste. Understanding and addressing these is thus a key to addressing uneven urban waste practices.

Biography

Ralph Horne is Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation for the College of Design and Social Context at RMIT University. He is Professor of Geography and his research focuses on social and policy change to support sustainable urban development, housing and households. He currently leads a range of research projects in Australia and Europe, on sustainable, equitable, and circular economy housing and households, post-carbon medium density housing, and sustainable production and consumption in urban environments. Among the latter is a current project examining the challenges facing households and built environment industries in recycling, waste reduction, and preparation and participation in circular economy systems. He combines research leadership and participation in research projects concerning the environmental, social and policy context of cities. The spatial, material and contingent social and policy structures at play are the main focus of his work on both the making and shaping of future urban environments.

Download 'High Dimension Spatio-Temporal Clustering of Housing Price Sub-Markets: The Case of London’s Concentrated Growth (PPTX, 91.1MB)' slides (PPTX, 91.1MB)

Abstract

We look at the clustering of small-area geographies into distinctive housing price sub-markets according to their spatial and temporal dynamics. The monthly nature of transactions and clustering highlight high-frequency neighbourhood dynamics and trajectories within London. The classification of neighbourhoods is done on a spatio-temporal longitudinal database capturing high-resolution monthly price dynamics along with a series of generated spatial and temporal lags to characterise the persistence of local prices. We use estimated spatial and temporal machine learning features to characterise neighbourhood clusters, identifying three large collections of sub-market zones with positive price growths, and auxiliary clusters capturing declining neighbourhoods or those which are spatially isolated. The clusters each represent a different level of prices and growth ranging from ultra-high priced, moderately-high priced and the more ambient price class. For each of these broad groupings iterative sub-clustering identifies distinctive sub-groups with marginally different characteristics. The clustering output is able to identify those neighbourhoods in the urban area which deviate from the ambient class over time. Transition plot matrices are used to visualise longer term transitions. As neighbourhoods move into moderately or ultra-high priced zones, we can study the evolution of changing boundary extents. This is useful for highlighting both the rapid housing growth over time and the importance of locational granularity.

Biography

Jacob Macdonald is Lecturer in GIS and Spatial Analysis with the Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. He completed his PhD in Economics and Finance at the Nova School of Business and Economics, and then worked as a Geographic Data Scientist with the University of Liverpool and the Geographic Data Science Lab/ Consumer Data Research Centre. His teaching and research combines applied data science, urban and environmental spatial analysis for policy and planning.

Download 'Have healthcare workers suffered the most during the COVID-19 pandemic? A study of the burnout effects on wellbeing (PDF, 362.7KB)' slides (PDF 362.7KB)

Abstract

Exhaustion is framed as an encompassing and sustainable sense of fatigue. While, tiredness is deemed as temporary, exhaustion could persist for long time because of work conditions, and certain lifestyles, and could be endured even with attempts for adequate rest. There are plethora of studies from epidemiology that have discussed the relationship between the state of extreme tiredness and impaired health, confined cognitive functions and increased mortality. Using Opinions and Lifestyle Survey: Covid-19 module, the study examines the effect of mental health (PE_Mental Health) and work difficulties (PE_Work) during the pandemic on satisfaction, worthwhileness, happiness, and anxiety for a sample of healthcare workers as opposed by the rest of the population in a survey of 110,000 respondents for 44 waves from April 2020 up until March 2021. Our analysis adopts four measures of work-related burnout from the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory including lack of energy (WRB_Energy), sleep (WRB_Sleep), rest (WRB_Rest) and exercise (WRB_Excercise). We show that healthcare workers’ wellbeing has been affected more than any population group by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of energy and sleep have the largest adverse effects on wellbeing. For those reporting worse-off mental health, exercise has the most pronounced effects.

Biography

Dr Shimaa Elkomy is an applied economist with more than 10 years of experience working with national surveys and administrative datasets. As a quantitative researcher at the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity, she has highly diversified research portfolio that empirically examine various timely and pressing policy challenges. She has a particular interest in applying economic analysis in wide array of policy domains as economic productivity, sustainability, wellbeing, policy outcomes and economic performance. Dr Elkomy is currently a senior research fellow at the University of Surrey leading on a project sponsored by What Works Centre for Wellbeing and commissioned by HMT and Department of Levelling-up, Housing and Communities to examine the effect different economic, social, spatial and regional indicators on wellbeing across England, Scotland and Wales using English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Shimaa is an accredited Office for National Statistics researcher and leads more than one projects using confidential data under the Secured Research System for example Opinions and Lifestyle Survey and Homelessness Case Level Collection (H-CLIC). Shimaa’s current work builds on the foundations of her PhD at the School of Economics at Lancaster University and on a range of projects she led in the School of Economics at the University of Surrey, School of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Strathclyde, and finally What Works Centre for Wellbeing.

Download 'Decolonising knowledge in higher education: Lessons from the colonial experience in Northern Nigeria (PPTX, 4.4MB)' slides (PPTX, 4.4MB)

Abstract

Decolonisation in contemporary curriculum reform signifies a necessary shift towards dismantling Eurocentric perspectives, rectifying historical omissions, and fostering more culturally inclusive and socially just educational systems. By decolonising knowledge, educators and HEIs can empower students to critically engage with a wider spectrum of perspectives, fostering greater empathy, understanding, and a more comprehensive view of global issues. This presentation delves into the complex history of British colonisation of Islamic legal education in Northern Nigeria and subsequent efforts to decolonise this educational domain during the post-independence period.

My main argument is that contemporary research on decolonising the curriculum has often overlooked a crucial dimension: the methods employed during the colonial period to shape higher education and the subsequent endeavours of former colonies to reassert their intellectual autonomy. Using Northern Nigeria as a case study, the presentation aims to address this gap, providing practical insights into how Western university curricula can be decolonised. The presentation encourages scholars and researchers to recognise of the global relevance of decolonising higher education.

Biography 

Femi Owolade is Research Associate in the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR), at Sheffield Hallam University. His research focused on equality and diversity interventions, specifically in the higher education sector. He is currently working across two workstreams of the National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) project, analysing evidence of 'what works' in terms of civic impact, and observing and reflecting on an action learning process involving cohorts of university leaders. Femi’s broader research interests centre on decolonisation, marginalised people, and equity in education. His doctoral research, which he completed at King’s College London, focused on legal pluralism and British colonial rule in Northern Nigeria.

Abstract

In recent years, new initiatives and funding streams have sought to provide more coherent support to people experiencing multiple disadvantages of rough sleeping, poor health, substance use, and contact with criminal justice. In addition, various programmes have sought to better understand the limitations of current systems for this cohort and effect changes accordingly. This seminar will explore these issues from two perspectives: findings from recent CRESR research and evaluation in this field; and the practical work being undertaken in Sheffield by the Changing Futures Programme.

Biographies

Stephen Green

Download 'Multiple Disadvantage: The Complexities of Support Systems vs the Complexities of People’s Lives (PDF, 614.1KB)' slides (PDF, 614.1KB)

Dr Stephen Green is a Senior Research Fellow at CRESR, Sheffield Hallam University. He specialises in in housing research, and in particular the incidence and impact of homelessness in the UK. Steve has led a number of research and evaluation projects in recent years looking specifically at new ways of responding to the needs of people experiencing multiple disadvantage and marginalisation.

Justine Adams

Download 'Changing Futures Sheffield: Impact So Far (PDF, 3.3MB)' slides (PDF, 3.3MB)

Justine Adams is currently the Interim Lead for the Sheffield Changing Futures programme. As part of this role, she is responsible for programme management of multiple commissioned services and projects, as well as progressing the system change agenda locally and nationally. Her substantive post within the programme is Commissioning Officer and prior to Changing Futures she worked within the Domestic Abuse sector as a Lead Independent Domestic Violence Advocate.

Abstract and Biographies

Jason Heyes, Professor of Employment Relations, Sheffield University Management School

Download 'Addressing Decent Work Deficits (PDF, 310.5KB)' slides (PDF, 310.5KB)

Abstract: This presentation will explore different types of decent work 'deficit' and the difficulties that many workers face in making transitions to better jobs. The presentation will draw on research examining different dimensions of job quality and will include a discussion of gender and age differences.

Biography: Jason Heyes is a Professor of Employment Relations in the School of Management at the University of Sheffield. He is also the Management School's Associate Dean for Impact and Engagement and director of the Centre for Decent Work (CDW), one of the school's research centres. His research has examined a variety of issues that are relevant for 'good work', including underemployment, minimum wage regulations, employment protection, flexicurity and employer support for employees with unpaid care responsibilities. He is currently leading an ESRC-funded project that is examining Transitions of Young Workers in the UK Labour Market: Consequences for Careers, Earnings, Health and Wellbeing. This project is part of the ESRC’s Transforming Working Lives research programme. He is also academic lead for the Yorkshire, Humber and North East Regional Productivity Forum, which is part of the ESRC-funded Productivity Institute, and regularly acts as a consultant for the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Ceri Hughes, Researcher, Work and Equalities Institute, University of Manchester

Download 'A role for local employment charters in creating a more inclusive economy? (PDF, 317.5KB)' slides (PDF, 317.5KB)

Abstract: In recent years, voluntary local employment charters have been proposed and implemented in several city regions, including many of the new mayoral combined authority areas (Dickinson, 2022; McKay and Moore, 2023). Employment charters are voluntary initiatives that set out to describe principles and practices associated with good employment, and to recognise employers that are implementing these. Ceri will share some findings from recent research that has been exploring whether and how these initiatives can support meaningful change in employment practices.

Biography: Ceri is a researcher based in the Work and Equalities Institute at the University of Manchester. Her research explores how labour market inequalities are shaped by state and employer policies and practices with a particular focus on active labour market policy. Her current research examines the potential for voluntary local employment charters to raise employment standards. Separately, she is also exploring the work expectations that are embedded in UK activation policy as a part of an ongoing mixed methods PhD project. She has previously worked at the Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit (Joseph Rowntree Foundation / University of Manchester), New Policy Institute and the Work Foundation.

Liz Blackshaw, TUC Regional Secretary, Trades Union Congress

Download 'The TUC's Great Jobs Agenda in South Yorkshire (PDF, 645KB)' slides (PDF, 645KB)

Abstract: The TUCs work on improving jobs is culminating in this year's demands of an incoming government nationally and progress is being made. Critically, here in South Yorkshire, the challenges for workers to enjoy good, healthy and fulfilling work continue to increase. This presentation explores these challenges and outlines some of the levers we can pull together locally to create more opportunity for good work and a healthy prosperous region.

Biography: Liz Blackshaw is Regional Secretary for the Trades Union Congress representing 48 trade unions and a million union members across the Northeast, Yorkshire and the Humber. Liz has spent most of her working life supporting and leading union campaigns in both the public and the private sector; nationally running the TUCs Organising Academy and working with trade union organising across the UK.

Prior to taking up this post, Liz worked with global trade union federations leading campaigns promoting trade union rights in sectors as diverse as warehousing, fishing and aviation. Liz also led the International Transport Worker’s Federation’s global supply chain work, emphasising the need for access to unions and improvements of rights for workers throughout contracting chains as well as mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement in union agreements.

Liz was appointed Regional Secretary with the UK TUC in 2021 and in addition to her primary work with affiliated trade unions, Liz represents working people of the region and on a range of bodies including South Yorkshire’s Business Advisory Board; the North-East England Net Zero Board and the Marras, the friends of the Durham Miners' Gala.

Download 'What is the role of voluntary sector organisations in tackling the ecological and climate crises? (PDF, 900.6KB)' slides (PDF, 901KB)

Session Abstract

Societies around the globe face an existential threat from the ecological and climate crises. The responsibility to respond is often placed with individuals, businesses, or the policy making and revenue generation powers of the state. Where then, does the voluntary sector fit into this mix? Does it, perhaps, provide a space where debate and ideas can be exchanged, or action taken, at least partially less unencumbered by political or profit driven imperatives? Or perhaps its role is more catalytic, providing a forum through which other sectors can be influenced? The speakers of our panel will present their reflections on this topic, drawing on their own research interests and experience, before a wider discussion with the panel audience.

Biographies

Peter Wells is Professor of Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation at Sheffield Hallam University. He is the academic lead for SHU's climate action strategy. He is currently leading research for Local Trust evaluating its Big Local programme and for Research England supporting the development of the Yorkshire Policy Engagement Research Network. He has worked closely with the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust and other local partners to develop the Sheffield Lakeland Partnership.

Naomi Chapman is a Senior Consultant at New Philanthropy Capital (NPC): the think tank and consultancy for the social sector, which helps both charities and funders to maximise their impact on the lives of the people they serve. She is the Programme Manager for Everyone’s Environment, a coalition of more than 50 social and environmental charities seeking to accelerate action on the social impacts of the environmental crises, and supports charities and funders to develop and implement ambitious strategies that incorporate systems thinking and increased collaboration.

Chris Dayson is Professor of Voluntary Action, Health and Wellbeing in the Centre for Economic and Social Research (CRESR) and co-lead of the Research Pillar at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC). Chris's research focuses on local voluntary and community action and contribution it makes to health and wellbeing. He is a leading international expert on the topic of social prescribing and part of the National Academy for Social Prescribing's International Evidence Collaborative.

Download 'Becoming Civic: Embedding People and Place at Teesside University (Kieran Fenby-Hulse) (PDF, 756.7KB)' slides (PDF, 756.7KB)

Download 'Our Civic Journey: Staffordshire University (Nicola Gratton) (PDF, 1.9MB)' slides (PDF, 1.9MB)

Session abstract

Interest in how universities can act for the good of their localities in partnership with local stakeholders has grown significantly in recent years. A three-year programme funded by Research England, the National Civic Impact Accelerator, aims to gather evidence and share learning about how such work can be encouraged and supported. Some of the participants in that programme will share what they have learned so far about their ‘civic journeys’ at this seminar.

This seminar will feature representatives from universities that are taking part in a peer learning process facilitated by the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement, alongside some of the staff involved in the NCIA programme. It will highlight some of the successes and learning they have shared, as well as reflections on the opportunities and challenges that face universities that want to prioritise their civic work.

Biographies

Gemma Adams and Zoe Williamson are facilitating an action learning programme as part of the National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) project. They are based at the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement at Bristol.

Julian Dobson and Femi Owolade are researchers in CRESR working with NCIA and observing the action learning programme.

Our guest speakers work within universities that are participating in the action learning programme.

Julia Carr is Anglia Ruskin University’s Community Listening and Community Organising Lead. She is involved in developing the university’s ongoing understanding and response to its civic ambitions, primarily through her work in building relationships with the communities it serves.

Kieran Fenby-Hulse is Associate Dean for Research and Innovation (People and Place) and Research Director for the Institute of Collective Place Leadership at Teesside University. Kieran is lead for the University's AHRC Impact Acceleration Account and a co-investigator on the NIHR-funded South Tees Health Research Determinants Collaboration. His research explores how the arts and humanities approaches can shape, inform and underpin approaches to civic, policy, and community engagement and leadership.

Nicola Gratton is Lead for Civic Engagement and Evaluation at Staffordshire University. She has an extensive background in youth and community development and leads on Staffordshire University's Connected Communities strategy. Her research specialism is the use of Participatory Action Research to address social inequalities.

Download 'Universal credit and employers: exploring the demand side of UK active labour market policy (PDF, 965KB)' slides (PDF, 965KB)

Abstract

Active labour market policies have important implications for the world of work. While these policies are usually focused on moving unemployed people into employment, new developments in UK policy extend their focus beyond work entry to progression in work. Universal Credit – now the main benefit for unemployed people and workers on a low income - places new expectations on working social security claimants to “progress” in work by increasing their hours in their current jobs, increasing their pay, taking on multiple jobs or moving to work for a different employer. This extends the UK’s long-standing “Work First” approach which centres on moving unemployed people into any job quickly.

Pulling together findings from across multiple research projects, Dr Katy Jones will share insights on how UK ALMP, including the “conditionality” that underpins it can undermine scope for more productive matches between the jobs available and the capabilities and needs of jobseekers (Jones et al., 2022), impacting on people’s experiences of job quality (Jones et al., 2024). Drawing on the first major independent study focused on employer views of Universal Credit, she will show how this does not just affect jobseekers, but employers too (Jones, 2022; Jones & Carson, 2023; 2024). Furthermore, while this has important implications for broader issues relating to economic development and productivity (Jones et al., 2019), a lack of join up between policy agendas undermines scope for better social and economic outcomes. Katy will argue for alternative approaches, including the need to shift away from a Work First approach, and a systems approach in which employment, skills, business support and broader social infrastructure is better aligned (Jones & Kumar, 2022; Jones & Carson, 2023).

Biography

Dr Katy Jones is a Reader in Employment and Head of the Decent Work and Productivity Research Centre. She has previously held research positions at The Work Foundation and the University of Salford. Her research focuses on support for people to move into and progress in work, mainly in relation to active labour market policy and vocational education, and with a particular focus on those most disadvantaged in the labour market. She is passionate about engaging with policymakers and ensuring research is impactful and accessible to a wide audience.