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/
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...
The Understanding Society office is closed for the Christmas period between 24 December and 5 January. Season's greetings to all our followers!
December 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The Understanding Society office is closed for the Christmas period between 24 December and 5 January. Season's greetings to all our followers!
New research (using Understanding Society) from Eleni Karagiannaki @lse-sticerd-case.bsky.social finds that wealth differences between ethnic groups in the UK have widened significantly since 2012/14.
www.lse.ac.uk/news/uk-ethn...
www.lse.ac.uk/news/uk-ethn...
Ethnic Wealth Gap in UK Widens Over Past Decade | LSE Report
Ethnic wealth inequality in the UK has surged over the past decade. Discover which groups gained, which lost, and why the gap keeps growing.
www.lse.ac.uk
December 17, 2025 at 12:30 PM
New research (using Understanding Society) from Eleni Karagiannaki @lse-sticerd-case.bsky.social finds that wealth differences between ethnic groups in the UK have widened significantly since 2012/14.
www.lse.ac.uk/news/uk-ethn...
www.lse.ac.uk/news/uk-ethn...
Delighted to hear this, not least because this research used Understanding Society as one of its data sources! But also... (mini-🧵)
We're pleased to share that our report on the effects of Sure Start on children’s outcomes has won the 'Impact of Analysis' Award in this year's ONS Research Excellence Awards.
🏆 Find out more: ifs.org.uk/news/ifs-sur...
🏆 Find out more: ifs.org.uk/news/ifs-sur...
IFS Sure Start research wins ONS Research Excellence Award 2025 | Institute for Fiscal Studies
We are pleased to announce that our research on the effects of Sure Start on children’s outcomes has been awarded ONS' Impact of Analysis Award.
ifs.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Delighted to hear this, not least because this research used Understanding Society as one of its data sources! But also... (mini-🧵)
Our friends at @ukdsimpact.bsky.social and @closer-uk.bsky.social are hosting a free event in Manchester for early career researchers on perspectives on engagement and impact. Taking place on 11 Feb, the event is designed to build skills, networks and confidence in creating impact.
🎉New on the Impact blog🎉
“How do you take your research to where decisions are made?”
The UK Data Service introduces Perspectives on Engagement and Impact - an exciting event for Early Career Researchers.
Find out more in the newest Data Impact blog.
blog.ukdataservice.ac.uk/early-career...
“How do you take your research to where decisions are made?”
The UK Data Service introduces Perspectives on Engagement and Impact - an exciting event for Early Career Researchers.
Find out more in the newest Data Impact blog.
blog.ukdataservice.ac.uk/early-career...
December 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Our friends at @ukdsimpact.bsky.social and @closer-uk.bsky.social are hosting a free event in Manchester for early career researchers on perspectives on engagement and impact. Taking place on 11 Feb, the event is designed to build skills, networks and confidence in creating impact.
Understanding Society Wave 15 is out today!
The latest wave of data can be accessed via the @ukdataservice.bsky.social. New content includes questions on pregnancies, guardians, and environmental identity.
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2025/12...
The latest wave of data can be accessed via the @ukdataservice.bsky.social. New content includes questions on pregnancies, guardians, and environmental identity.
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2025/12...
Understanding Society Wave 15 - Understanding Society
The latest wave of UKHLS is now available from the UK Data Service The latest wave of the UKHLS main survey is now available from the UK Data Service
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
December 10, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Understanding Society Wave 15 is out today!
The latest wave of data can be accessed via the @ukdataservice.bsky.social. New content includes questions on pregnancies, guardians, and environmental identity.
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2025/12...
The latest wave of data can be accessed via the @ukdataservice.bsky.social. New content includes questions on pregnancies, guardians, and environmental identity.
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2025/12...
Understanding Society Biosocial Conference 2026 - the call for abstracts is now open! Share your work on topics that combine biological and social data.
Deadline for abstracts: 20 March
In-person conference: 15 October
Submit your abstract: www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2025/12...
Deadline for abstracts: 20 March
In-person conference: 15 October
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
December 8, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Understanding Society Biosocial Conference 2026 - the call for abstracts is now open! Share your work on topics that combine biological and social data.
Deadline for abstracts: 20 March
In-person conference: 15 October
Submit your abstract: www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2025/12...
Deadline for abstracts: 20 March
In-person conference: 15 October
Submit your abstract: www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/news/2025/12...
New on our website today: how @heejungchung.bsky.social and a team at @giwlkings.bsky.social used Understanding Society data in the new Gender Equality Index UK
Understanding Society used for Gender Equality Index - Understanding Society
New tool measures men’s and women’s socioeconomic outcomes across UK A team of researchers led by the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership
www.understandingsociety.ac.uk
December 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
New on our website today: how @heejungchung.bsky.social and a team at @giwlkings.bsky.social used Understanding Society data in the new Gender Equality Index UK