Collaboratory Researcher Profiles
Project Title: Mapping “good work” in the East Midlands employment landscape
What were you doing (e.g. type of work/study) before your PhD/Placement?
I studied Public Health and Population Sciences at the University of Birmingham, and have worked in community engagement focusing on screening for preventable illnesses and vaccinations. During city-wide outbreaks of measles and TB, I coordinated health awareness campaigns in deprived areas.
I volunteer with Healthwatch, which involves listening to people’s experiences of health and social care services and collecting data, in order to inform decision makers and influence changes. Just before starting this placement, I spent 6 months monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the cervical screening programme in Bangladesh, which I left with a deeper appreciation for the NHS here.
Presently, I am on the ethics panel for the Coventry Health Determinants Research Collaboration, which is establishing a research infrastructure to reduce health inequalities and improve the health of residents. We review local authority research project applications which focus on a diverse range of social, economic and environmental factors which impact on people’s health.
What are you researching?
I am mapping “good work” in the East Midlands region, covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, to provide an evidence base for future inclusive growth policies. Work can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing, and the type of work done also impacts on an individual’s identity. The quality of work is really important for the population and the economy, and this includes factors such as job security, stability of employment, and access to rewarding jobs.
Inequalities around employment and earnings are increasing, which impacts people’s lives and livelihoods, and there are significant regional disparities with shifting labour market demands. The aim of this project is to develop a better understanding of the local context to ensure that more “good work” opportunities are available to the communities that need them.
This project is building on the work of the “Laying the Foundations for a Good Work City” report from 2019, which focused on understanding and tackling economic insecurity in Nottingham. I am exploring a number of indicators which describe the picture for the East Midlands Combined County Authority, highlighting the differences in different areas to help design suitable place-based interventions.
What motivated you to apply for this specific Placement project?
I am really interested in how social and economic conditions affect people’s ability to find meaningful and secure employment. From personal experience and observing people around me, I know that finding stable and fulfilling work can be difficult, which can affect wellbeing, so I was interested in exploring this further. The topic is really relevant and I was drawn to the prospect of finding solutions to some of the challenges around “good work”. My roles have shown me how research can help improve outcomes for individuals and communities, and given me appreciation for the value of lived experience, as well as large datasets, when trying to understand real-world problems to create positive social impact. I love that Collaboratory puts community knowledge and experience at the core of research.
Despite enjoying studying topics in depth, I previously found academia quite overwhelming at times and have delayed starting a Masters. When I saw this placement, I was keen to take up the opportunity to access PhD-level research skills training to develop my analytical skills and confidence, in order to further my public health career and be able to make a tangible difference in complex systems.
Why do you think this research is important?
It is necessary to understand the employment landscape of this region to ensure that future policy decisions can support an increase in “good work” opportunities for more people. It is an area that faces significant challenges, with some of the lowest levels of productivity in England, but lots of potential for “inclusive growth”, which values people’s contributions and shares out the benefits.
The East Midlands Combined County Authority was established in 2024 and has set out targeted ambitions for growth and opportunities with a number of key outcomes, such as tackling barriers to employment and clearer career pathways. It is crucial to understand what the current situation looks like, so that appropriate strategies can be implemented in different locations to ensure communities are properly supported and not left behind. This is what systems change looks like in action, as there are structural reasons for widening inequalities, which need to be identified and tackled at the root causes.
What difference do you hope to make in the East Midlands through this research?
Through this work, I hope to be able to contribute to shaping a more prosperous and fair future by helping regional policymakers to understand where interventions are most needed in the East Midlands. I feel really inspired by the Inclusive Growth Framework proposed by the East Midlands Combined County Authority and the ambition and vision to increase opportunities for everyone, and empower residents to shape their future. By providing clear evidence on where “good work” is lacking and highlighting areas of inequality, I would like to inform plans that support people to feel more satisfied, healthier and happier, through improved access to secure, high-quality employment.
What do you hope to gain from undertaking this research? (personally and/or professionally)
I would love to come away from this placement with new skills that help me to succeed in academia, as well as a community of other people who are passionate about making a real impact. Sustaining hope is easier when you are with other people who also care enough to persist in creating change in demanding environments. I am keen to work with others who inspire me and turn knowledge into practice. I would benefit from high-level problem-solving skills, in order to meaningfully contribute to evidence-based interventions, which improve lives for disadvantaged people. I hope to complete my Masters and possibly go on to pursuing a PhD to deep dive into solving multifaceted problems, as this project is just scratching the surface on an important topic.