Understanding Society
@usociety.bsky.social
Longitudinal survey following 40,000 UK households annually. Enormous research opportunities. Based at the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/
If you want to present your work at our Biosocial Conference (15 Oct, London) you've got until 20 March to submit your abstract. www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2025/12...
Understanding Society Biosocial Conference 2026: combining biological and social data - Understanding Society
A call for abstracts is now open - present your research at our Biosocial Conference A call for abstracts is now open - present your research at our Biosocial Conference
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
February 12, 2026 at 2:36 PM
If you want to present your work at our Biosocial Conference (15 Oct, London) you've got until 20 March to submit your abstract. www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Understanding Society
📑 CPC-CG members @valediiasio.bsky.social, @corradogiulietti.bsky.social & @jackiewahba.bsky.social discuss their analysis of @usociety.bsky.social data examining the uneven social consequences of #Brexit in the UK and how it affected the mental health of ethnic minority youth ⤵️ @bspsuk.bsky.social
JUST PUBLISHED – How did Brexit affect the mental health of ethnic minority youth?
By @valediiasio.bsky.social @corradogiulietti.bsky.social & @jackiewahba.bsky.social
By @valediiasio.bsky.social @corradogiulietti.bsky.social & @jackiewahba.bsky.social
How did Brexit affect the mental health of ethnic minority youth? - Economics Observatory
Research evidence suggests that the UK referendum on whether or not to remain in the European Union had uneven social consequences. Younger people from ethnic minorities living in areas of the…
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 12:38 PM
📑 CPC-CG members @valediiasio.bsky.social, @corradogiulietti.bsky.social & @jackiewahba.bsky.social discuss their analysis of @usociety.bsky.social data examining the uneven social consequences of #Brexit in the UK and how it affected the mental health of ethnic minority youth ⤵️ @bspsuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Understanding Society
Our latest blog: Nick Litsardopoulos @employmentstudies.bsky.social explores how financial support and digital technology worked together to affect entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurs in uncertain times - Understanding Society
During the pandemic, government support made it easier for businesses to survive. What Covid can teach us about supporting new businesses
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
February 9, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Our latest blog: Nick Litsardopoulos @employmentstudies.bsky.social explores how financial support and digital technology worked together to affect entrepreneurship
Reposted by Understanding Society
New #OpenAccess
Bringing economic & family sociology into the digital era, @yanghu.co.uk & @yueqiansoc.bsky.social analyze longitudinal data from @usociety.bsky.social to reveal how the use of online banking shape couples' money management and financial decisions
doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcag002
Bringing economic & family sociology into the digital era, @yanghu.co.uk & @yueqiansoc.bsky.social analyze longitudinal data from @usociety.bsky.social to reveal how the use of online banking shape couples' money management and financial decisions
doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcag002
February 10, 2026 at 9:38 AM
New #OpenAccess
Bringing economic & family sociology into the digital era, @yanghu.co.uk & @yueqiansoc.bsky.social analyze longitudinal data from @usociety.bsky.social to reveal how the use of online banking shape couples' money management and financial decisions
doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcag002
Bringing economic & family sociology into the digital era, @yanghu.co.uk & @yueqiansoc.bsky.social analyze longitudinal data from @usociety.bsky.social to reveal how the use of online banking shape couples' money management and financial decisions
doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcag002
@childrenssociety.bsky.social uses data from Understanding Society to track children's wellbeing over time. Their latest report brings together the evidence from their Good Childhood research programme.
Every child deserves to feel happy, safe and hopeful about their future.
But our new report show that far too many don’t.
Our 21 years of research into children’s wellbeing reveal that school and appearance are the most problematic aspects of life for children.
Read: https://ow.ly/NvNI50Yc8v3
But our new report show that far too many don’t.
Our 21 years of research into children’s wellbeing reveal that school and appearance are the most problematic aspects of life for children.
Read: https://ow.ly/NvNI50Yc8v3
February 10, 2026 at 4:31 PM
@childrenssociety.bsky.social uses data from Understanding Society to track children's wellbeing over time. Their latest report brings together the evidence from their Good Childhood research programme.
Reposted by Understanding Society
💷 Digital tools may not just make life easier (sometimes) – they are also quietly reconfiguring power, inequality, and intimacy in everyday family life. (Powered by @usociety.bsky.social data)
📰 Read the @ucl.ac.uk | @ioe.bsky.social press release here: www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/fe...
📰 Read the @ucl.ac.uk | @ioe.bsky.social press release here: www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/fe...
Women who use online banking are more likely hold the purse strings
Women in the UK who use online banking tools are nearly five times as likely to manage their household finances and about twice as likely to have the final say in major financial decisions, compared w...
www.ucl.ac.uk
February 9, 2026 at 6:16 PM
💷 Digital tools may not just make life easier (sometimes) – they are also quietly reconfiguring power, inequality, and intimacy in everyday family life. (Powered by @usociety.bsky.social data)
📰 Read the @ucl.ac.uk | @ioe.bsky.social press release here: www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/fe...
📰 Read the @ucl.ac.uk | @ioe.bsky.social press release here: www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/fe...
Our latest blog: Nick Litsardopoulos @employmentstudies.bsky.social explores how financial support and digital technology worked together to affect entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurs in uncertain times - Understanding Society
During the pandemic, government support made it easier for businesses to survive. What Covid can teach us about supporting new businesses
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
February 9, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Our latest blog: Nick Litsardopoulos @employmentstudies.bsky.social explores how financial support and digital technology worked together to affect entrepreneurship
New Working Paper!
Does asking participants to do extra tasks affect whether they take part in later annual interviews and subsequent additional data collection? Read the paper to find out!
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/research/pub...
Does asking participants to do extra tasks affect whether they take part in later annual interviews and subsequent additional data collection? Read the paper to find out!
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/research/pub...
How panel members react to multiple requests for additional data over time – Understanding Society – Understanding Society
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
February 5, 2026 at 1:07 PM
New Working Paper!
Does asking participants to do extra tasks affect whether they take part in later annual interviews and subsequent additional data collection? Read the paper to find out!
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/research/pub...
Does asking participants to do extra tasks affect whether they take part in later annual interviews and subsequent additional data collection? Read the paper to find out!
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/research/pub...
Reposted by Understanding Society
Could you help us develop the future of Understanding Society? We're looking for new members to join our Strategic Oversight Board, the group that reviews and advises on the direction and operational delivery of the Study. www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2026/01...
Join our Strategic Oversight Board - Understanding Society
We’re looking for new members to join on our Strategic Oversight Board to help guide Understanding Society into the future.
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
January 29, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Could you help us develop the future of Understanding Society? We're looking for new members to join our Strategic Oversight Board, the group that reviews and advises on the direction and operational delivery of the Study. www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2026/01...
As it’s Friday lunchtime, why not check out our new blogs from this month? The U-shape of wellbeing – “among the most striking, persistent patterns in social science” – has disappeared in recent years...
The U-shape of wellbeing – high when we’re young, then falling, and rising after middle age – was “among the most striking, persistent patterns in social science ... But this is no longer true” – new blog by @dannyblanchy.bsky.social @alexbryson.bsky.social @xiaoweixu.bsky.social @theifs.bsky.social
The disappearance of the hump shape in illbeing by age - Understanding Society
Lifetime happiness trend changes as youth mental health suffers. It’s long been established that happiness makes a U-shape over our lifetimes
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
January 30, 2026 at 1:26 PM
As it’s Friday lunchtime, why not check out our new blogs from this month? The U-shape of wellbeing – “among the most striking, persistent patterns in social science” – has disappeared in recent years...
Reposted by Understanding Society
Short introductions to @usociety.bsky.social topics - www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/help/trainin...
Linked data – 5 March
Income, wealth and housing – 12 March
Health and Biomarker data - 15 April
Employment – 14 May
Family, households and children – 21 May
Linked data – 1 October
Linked data – 5 March
Income, wealth and housing – 12 March
Health and Biomarker data - 15 April
Employment – 14 May
Family, households and children – 21 May
Linked data – 1 October
January 20, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Short introductions to @usociety.bsky.social topics - www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/help/trainin...
Linked data – 5 March
Income, wealth and housing – 12 March
Health and Biomarker data - 15 April
Employment – 14 May
Family, households and children – 21 May
Linked data – 1 October
Linked data – 5 March
Income, wealth and housing – 12 March
Health and Biomarker data - 15 April
Employment – 14 May
Family, households and children – 21 May
Linked data – 1 October
Reposted by Understanding Society
New paper on #UK #children's diverse #family pathways using #sequenceanalysis on @usociety.bsky.social data shows:
* More than 25% of children do not grow up with biological parents
* Children of more educated, Asian, and migrant mothers tend to grow up with married parents
tinyurl.com/47x4r57z
* More than 25% of children do not grow up with biological parents
* Children of more educated, Asian, and migrant mothers tend to grow up with married parents
tinyurl.com/47x4r57z
January 30, 2026 at 9:06 AM
New paper on #UK #children's diverse #family pathways using #sequenceanalysis on @usociety.bsky.social data shows:
* More than 25% of children do not grow up with biological parents
* Children of more educated, Asian, and migrant mothers tend to grow up with married parents
tinyurl.com/47x4r57z
* More than 25% of children do not grow up with biological parents
* Children of more educated, Asian, and migrant mothers tend to grow up with married parents
tinyurl.com/47x4r57z
Could you help us develop the future of Understanding Society? We're looking for new members to join our Strategic Oversight Board, the group that reviews and advises on the direction and operational delivery of the Study. www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2026/01...
Join our Strategic Oversight Board - Understanding Society
We’re looking for new members to join on our Strategic Oversight Board to help guide Understanding Society into the future.
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
January 29, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Could you help us develop the future of Understanding Society? We're looking for new members to join our Strategic Oversight Board, the group that reviews and advises on the direction and operational delivery of the Study. www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2026/01...
JRF uses our data in this report to examine, persistent poverty (including among religious minorities), and some of the psychological effects of poverty, among other subjects
📢 The latest figures from #UKPoverty2026 reveal a picture of poverty hardening, not easing.
The average person in poverty in 2021-24 was 29% below the poverty line.
This is up from 23% in 1994-97.
As people fall further into poverty, the impact on their lives worsens.
The average person in poverty in 2021-24 was 29% below the poverty line.
This is up from 23% in 1994-97.
As people fall further into poverty, the impact on their lives worsens.
January 29, 2026 at 11:03 AM
JRF uses our data in this report to examine, persistent poverty (including among religious minorities), and some of the psychological effects of poverty, among other subjects
Reposted by Understanding Society
BLOG from @usociety.bsky.social
The disappearance of the hump shape in ill-being by age - Lifetime happiness trend changes as youth mental health suffers
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/blog/2026/01...
By @xiaoweixu.bsky.social @alexbryson.bsky.social @dannyblanchy.bsky.social
The disappearance of the hump shape in ill-being by age - Lifetime happiness trend changes as youth mental health suffers
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/blog/2026/01...
By @xiaoweixu.bsky.social @alexbryson.bsky.social @dannyblanchy.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 2:35 PM
BLOG from @usociety.bsky.social
The disappearance of the hump shape in ill-being by age - Lifetime happiness trend changes as youth mental health suffers
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/blog/2026/01...
By @xiaoweixu.bsky.social @alexbryson.bsky.social @dannyblanchy.bsky.social
The disappearance of the hump shape in ill-being by age - Lifetime happiness trend changes as youth mental health suffers
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/blog/2026/01...
By @xiaoweixu.bsky.social @alexbryson.bsky.social @dannyblanchy.bsky.social
Reposted by Understanding Society
Check out this new publication using data from the GIP and our Mannheim Corona Study!
Our latest blog: our associate director Alita Nandi on her new book with researchers from France, Italy, and Germany which looks at how the pandemic changed lives, and the different impacts seen in four European countries
Social life during COVID-19 in France, Germany, Italy and the UK - Understanding Society
How did the pandemic change our lives, institutions and attitudes? The pandemic created a sudden and dramatic change to our lives, unprecedented since the Second World War. social life during Covid in...
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
January 27, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Check out this new publication using data from the GIP and our Mannheim Corona Study!
Our latest blog: our associate director Alita Nandi on her new book with researchers from France, Italy, and Germany which looks at how the pandemic changed lives, and the different impacts seen in four European countries
Social life during COVID-19 in France, Germany, Italy and the UK - Understanding Society
How did the pandemic change our lives, institutions and attitudes? The pandemic created a sudden and dramatic change to our lives, unprecedented since the Second World War. social life during Covid in...
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
January 27, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Our latest blog: our associate director Alita Nandi on her new book with researchers from France, Italy, and Germany which looks at how the pandemic changed lives, and the different impacts seen in four European countries
Reposted by Understanding Society
📣 The next Scottish UKHLS (@usociety.bsky.social) User Group Meeting will be on the 24th of April 1500-1630 Online @uoe-sps.bsky.social
To receive the meeting invite sign up to the mailing list here: edin.ac/48nQsc2
To receive the meeting invite sign up to the mailing list here: edin.ac/48nQsc2
edin.ac
January 26, 2026 at 9:15 AM
📣 The next Scottish UKHLS (@usociety.bsky.social) User Group Meeting will be on the 24th of April 1500-1630 Online @uoe-sps.bsky.social
To receive the meeting invite sign up to the mailing list here: edin.ac/48nQsc2
To receive the meeting invite sign up to the mailing list here: edin.ac/48nQsc2
Reposted by Understanding Society
Insights 2026: Children and young people’s futures
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/events/insig...
Join @usociety.bsky.social for the launch of the 2026 Insights report at a one-day policy conference on building social infrastructure to support development and reduce inequalities.
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/events/insig...
Join @usociety.bsky.social for the launch of the 2026 Insights report at a one-day policy conference on building social infrastructure to support development and reduce inequalities.
January 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Insights 2026: Children and young people’s futures
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/events/insig...
Join @usociety.bsky.social for the launch of the 2026 Insights report at a one-day policy conference on building social infrastructure to support development and reduce inequalities.
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/events/insig...
Join @usociety.bsky.social for the launch of the 2026 Insights report at a one-day policy conference on building social infrastructure to support development and reduce inequalities.
The government wants to “Break Down Barriers to Opportunity”, so how can we build a social infrastructure that supports children’s development and reduces inequalities? Some of the answers are in this year’s Insights report, which we launch in London on 26 February
Insights 2026: Children and young people's futures - Understanding Society
This event will explore we build a social infrastructure that supports children's development and reduces inequalities.
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
January 13, 2026 at 11:02 AM
The government wants to “Break Down Barriers to Opportunity”, so how can we build a social infrastructure that supports children’s development and reduces inequalities? Some of the answers are in this year’s Insights report, which we launch in London on 26 February
The U-shape of wellbeing – high when we’re young, then falling, and rising after middle age – was “among the most striking, persistent patterns in social science ... But this is no longer true” – new blog by @dannyblanchy.bsky.social @alexbryson.bsky.social @xiaoweixu.bsky.social @theifs.bsky.social
The disappearance of the hump shape in illbeing by age - Understanding Society
Lifetime happiness trend changes as youth mental health suffers. It’s long been established that happiness makes a U-shape over our lifetimes
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
January 12, 2026 at 9:35 AM
The U-shape of wellbeing – high when we’re young, then falling, and rising after middle age – was “among the most striking, persistent patterns in social science ... But this is no longer true” – new blog by @dannyblanchy.bsky.social @alexbryson.bsky.social @xiaoweixu.bsky.social @theifs.bsky.social
Reposted by Understanding Society
✨ Join us on 11 February in Manchester for Perspectives on Engagement and Impact: a UK Data Service event for Early Career Researchers.
📅 11 February 2026
⏰ 09:30-15:30
📍 The Engine Room, People’s History Museum, Manchester
🧷 ukdataservice.ac.uk/events/persp...
📅 11 February 2026
⏰ 09:30-15:30
📍 The Engine Room, People’s History Museum, Manchester
🧷 ukdataservice.ac.uk/events/persp...
Perspectives on Engagement and Impact: a UK Data Service event for Early Career Researchers — UK Data Service
A comprehensive resource funded by the ESRC to support researchers, teachers and policymakers who depend on high-quality social and economic data.
ukdataservice.ac.uk
January 5, 2026 at 12:42 PM
✨ Join us on 11 February in Manchester for Perspectives on Engagement and Impact: a UK Data Service event for Early Career Researchers.
📅 11 February 2026
⏰ 09:30-15:30
📍 The Engine Room, People’s History Museum, Manchester
🧷 ukdataservice.ac.uk/events/persp...
📅 11 February 2026
⏰ 09:30-15:30
📍 The Engine Room, People’s History Museum, Manchester
🧷 ukdataservice.ac.uk/events/persp...
A new story on our website this week showing how @ukri.org funding generates impact: @learnworkuk.bsky.social has used Understanding Society data in its report, ‘No train no gain – Can the UK boost job mobility and pay growth over the next decade?’
Training can boost job mobility and pay growth - Understanding Society
New report calls for government and business investment in skills Learning and Work Institute uses Understanding Society in report on skills
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
January 8, 2026 at 9:55 AM
A new story on our website this week showing how @ukri.org funding generates impact: @learnworkuk.bsky.social has used Understanding Society data in its report, ‘No train no gain – Can the UK boost job mobility and pay growth over the next decade?’
New on our website today: @learnworkuk.bsky.social has used Understanding Society data in its report, ‘No train no gain – Can the UK boost job mobility and pay growth over the next decade?’
Training can boost job mobility and pay growth - Understanding Society
New report calls for government and business investment in skills Learning and Work Institute uses Understanding Society in report on skills
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
January 6, 2026 at 10:21 AM
New on our website today: @learnworkuk.bsky.social has used Understanding Society data in its report, ‘No train no gain – Can the UK boost job mobility and pay growth over the next decade?’
On the 15 and 16 January we have our first training course of the year! Getting started with household panel surveys is our 1 day intro to study design, content, data, weighting, plus basic data management.
15 Jan: online
16 Jan: in-person at Essex uni
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/help/trainin...
15 Jan: online
16 Jan: in-person at Essex uni
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/help/trainin...
January 5, 2026 at 11:31 AM
On the 15 and 16 January we have our first training course of the year! Getting started with household panel surveys is our 1 day intro to study design, content, data, weighting, plus basic data management.
15 Jan: online
16 Jan: in-person at Essex uni
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/help/trainin...
15 Jan: online
16 Jan: in-person at Essex uni
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/help/trainin...