Sharing areas of research interest with the Department for Work and Pensions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and experts from the University of Southampton came together on 8 October for a one-day workshop exploring shared research priorities in pensions, work, health, and social policy. Hosted by Public Policy Southampton, the event highlighted the University’s expertise in shaping evidence-led policy and strengthening academic–government collaboration.

The workshop opened with a welcome from Professor Jane Falkingham CBE, Vice President (Engagement and International) of the University of Southampton and Director of the ESRC-funded Centre for Population Change and Connecting Generations (CPC-CG). Professor Falkingham emphasised the importance of academic engagement with policymakers to address complex societal challenges, particularly those linked to demographic change and inequality.

The first spotlight session ‘Pensions and Later Life’ was led by CPC-CG members Professors Athina Vlachantoni, Maria Evandrou, and Traute Meyer. Their session drew strong engagement from DWP analysts and policymakers, with discussions centring on how future pension policy can balance sustainability with fairness across generations:

• Professor Vlachantoni examined the link between pension protection and unmet needs for social care, raising questions about the adequacy of current provision as the population ages.

• Professor Evandrou discussed how paid work interacts with the provision of social care, drawing attention to the pressures faced by carers balancing employment and family responsibilities.

• Professor Meyer presented comparative findings from seven European countries, including the UK, exploring how pension reforms have influenced the adequacy of public pensions for new retirees.

Later sessions addressed ‘Work, Health and AI’, and ‘Methods’, featuring contributions from across the University. Delegates explored how digitalisation and new forms of work are reshaping employment relations, and how innovative data analysis methods can support better policy evaluation. Afternoon breakout discussions allowed participants to examine key DWP research priorities, including pension adequacy, hybrid working, disability benefits, and youth transitions into employment.

Professor Vlachantoni reflected on the workshop: “Many thanks to the Public Policy Southampton team for organising a brilliant workshop at the University of Southampton to discuss areas of research interest with colleagues from the Department for Work and Pensions.

“I also had the opportunity to present on our ESRC-funded research on pensions (Centre for Research on Ageing) and unmet need for social care (CPC-CG). The discussions we had were inspiring, productive, and thought-provoking about the challenges and opportunities facing policymakers. A very rewarding day.”

Posted 13/10/2025 10:29