Extending Active Life for Older People with Cognitive Impairment and their Families through Innovation in the Visitor Economy of the Natural Environment, 2021-2024

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.ENLIVEN (Extending Active Life for Older People with Cognitive Impairment and their Families through Innovation in the Visitor Economy of the Natural Environment) was a three-year project aiming to make the well-being benefits of nature-based outdoor pursuits more accessible to people living with cognitive impairment (PLWCI) such as dementia. Stakeholder engagement with small businesses, community interest groups/supporter organisations, and people living with cognitive impairment in the community was conducted throughout the project. ENLIVEN comprised four workstreams (WS): WS1, scoping existing provision, accessibility, and preferences of people living with cognitive impairment for nature-based pursuits; WS2, developing new nature-based initiatives for people living with cognitive impairment; WS3, evaluating these initiatives which were either ‘one off’ events or a series; and WS4, knowledge exchange and disseminating learning to businesses. Deposited data is for WS1 and WS3. For WS1, scoping existing provision, accessibility, and preferences of people living with cognitive impairment for nature-based pursuits, 40 qualitative interviews were conducted with businesses, 4 with supporter organisations, 15 with PLWCI, and 15 with family members/carers. For people living with cognitive impairment and their family members, the interview schedule included questions regarding activity preferences (prompted by photographs of nature-based pursuits), accessibility and how this could be improved. For WS3, evaluating the nature-based outdoor pursuits developed during the project, 30 qualitative interviews were conducted with business programme leads including follow up interviews during and after scheduled events. 19 facilitators of individual sessions such as arts educators were also interviewed. 48 qualitative interviews were conducted with PLWCI, all with dementia, or with family members/carers. 6 focus groups were conducted for 2 projects. 12 group organisers who had taken an existing group to take part in an outdoor activity such as from a charity working with older people were also interviewed. Interviews focused on the nature-based visitor experience and evaluating if and how businesses had become more dementia-aware.Main Topics:The main topics of the ENLIVEN project were improving accessibility to the visitor economy and nature-based outdoor pursuits for people living with cognitive impairment.</p

English Longitudinal Study of Ageing: Waves 4-10, 2008-2023: Local Authority District Post-2009 Boundaries (Recoded): Secure Access

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) study is a longitudinal survey of ageing and quality of life among older people that explores the dynamic relationships between health and functioning, social networks and participation, and economic position as people plan for, move into and progress beyond retirement. The main objectives of ELSA are to:construct waves of accessible and well-documented panel data;provide these data in a convenient and timely fashion to the scientific and policy research community;describe health trajectories, disability and healthy life expectancy in a representative sample of the English population aged 50 and over;examine the relationship between economic position and health;investigate the determinants of economic position in older age;describe the timing of retirement and post-retirement labour market activity; andunderstand the relationships between social support, household structure and the transfer of assets.Further information may be found on the the&nbsp;ELSA project&nbsp;website or the&nbsp;Natcen Social Research: ELSA&nbsp;web pages.Health conditions research with ELSA - June 2021 The ELSA Data team have found some issues with historical data measuring health conditions. If you are intending to do any analysis looking at the following health conditions, then please contact [email protected] for advice on how you should approach your analysis. The affected conditions are: eye conditions (glaucoma; diabetic eye disease; macular degeneration; cataract), CVD conditions (high blood pressure; angina; heart attack; Congestive Heart Failure; heart murmur; abnormal heart rhythm; diabetes; stroke; high cholesterol; other heart trouble) and chronic health conditions (chronic lung disease; asthma; arthritis; osteoporosis; cancer; Parkinson's Disease; emotional, nervous or psychiatric problems; Alzheimer's Disease; dementia; malignant blood disorder; multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease).Secure Access Data:Secure Access versions of ELSA have more restrictive access conditions than versions available under the standard End User Licence or Special Licence (see 'Access' section below).Secure Access versions of ELSA include:Primary Data from Wave 8 onwards (SN 8444) includes all the variables in the SL primary dataset (SN 8346) as well as day of birth, combined SIC 2003 code (5 digit), combined SOC 2000 code (4 digit), NS-SEC long version including and excluding unclassifiable and non-workers.Pension Age Data from Wave 8 onwards (SN 8445) includes all the variables in the SL pension age data (SN 8375) as well as year reached pension age variable.Detailed geographical identifier files for each wave, grouped by identifier held under SN 8423 (Index of Multiple Deprivation Score), SN 8424 (Local Authority District Pre-2009 Boundaries), SN 8438 (Local Authority District Post-2009 Boundaries), SN 8425 (Census 2001 Lower Layer Super Output Areas), SN 8434 (Census 2011 Lower Layer Super Output Areas), SN 8426(Census 2001 Middle Layer Super Output Areas), SN 8435 (Census 2011 Middle Layer Super Output Areas), SN 8427 (Population Density for Postcode Sectors), SN 8428 (Census 2001 Rural-Urban Indicators), SN 8436 (Census 2011 Rural-Urban Indicators), SN 9496 (Local Authority District Pre-2009 Boundaries Recoded), SN 9497 (Local Authority District Post-2009 Boundaries Recoded).Where boundary changes have occurred, the geographic identifier has been split into two separate studies to reduce the risk of disclosure. Users are also only allowed one version of each identifier:either SN 8424 (Local Authority District Pre-2009 Boundaries) or SN 8438 (Local Authority District Post-2009 Boundaries)either SN 8425 (Census 2001 Lower Layer Super Output Areas) or SN 8434 (Census 2011 Lower Layer Super Output Areas)either SN 8426 (Census 2001 Middle Layer Super Output Areas) or SN 8435 (Census 2011 Middle Layer Super Output Areas)either SN 8428 (Census 2001 Rural-Urban Indicators) or SN 8436 (Census 2011 Rural-Urban Indicators)either SN 9496 (Local Authority District Pre-2009 Boundaries Recoded) or SN 9497 (Local Authority District Post-2009 Boundaries Recoded)English Longitudinal Study of Ageing: Waves 4-10, 2008-2023: Local Authority District Post-2009 Boundaries (Recoded):&nbsp;Secure AccessThis dataset contains a post-2009 boundary Local Authority District variable which has been recoded to 150 categories for disclosure control from Wave 4 of ELSA to date, and a unique individual serial number variable is also included for matching to the main data files. These data have more restrictive access conditions than those available under Safeguarded access. These data were previously available under Special Licence from decatalogued SN&nbsp;8439.Main Topics:This dataset contains a pre-2009 boundary Local Authority Type variable for each Wave of ELSA to date, as well as a unique individual serial number variable for matching to the main data files.A full version of the post-2009 boundary Local Authority District variable is available under Secure Access from SN 8438.&nbsp; Please see the data dictionary, available as part of the documentation, for details of the coding.</div

English Longitudinal Study of Ageing: Waves 1-10, 2002-2023: Local Authority District Pre-2009 Boundaries (Recoded): Secure Access

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing&nbsp;(ELSA) study is a longitudinal survey of ageing and quality of life among older people that explores the dynamic relationships between health and functioning, social networks and participation, and economic position as people plan for, move into and progress beyond retirement. The main objectives of ELSA are to: construct waves of accessible and well-documented panel data; provide these data in a convenient and timely fashion to the scientific and policy research community; describe health trajectories, disability and healthy life expectancy in a representative sample of the English population aged 50 and over; examine the relationship between economic position and health; nvestigate the determinants of economic position in older age; describe the timing of retirement and post-retirement labour market activity; and understand the relationships between social support, household structure and the transfer of assets. Further information may be found on the the&nbsp;ELSA project&nbsp;website or the&nbsp;Natcen Social Research: ELSA&nbsp;web pages. Health conditions research with ELSA - June 2021 The ELSA Data team have found some issues with historical data measuring health conditions. If you are intending to do any analysis looking at the following health conditions, then please contact the ELSA Data team at NatCen on&nbsp;[email protected]&nbsp;for advice on how you should approach your analysis. The affected conditions are: eye conditions (glaucoma; diabetic eye disease; macular degeneration; cataract), CVD conditions (high blood pressure; angina; heart attack; Congestive Heart Failure; heart murmur; abnormal heart rhythm; diabetes; stroke; high cholesterol; other heart trouble) and chronic health conditions (chronic lung disease; asthma; arthritis; osteoporosis; cancer; Parkinson's Disease; emotional, nervous or psychiatric problems; Alzheimer's Disease; dementia; malignant blood disorder; multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease). Special Licence Data: Special Licence Access versions of ELSA have more restrictive access conditions than versions available under the standard End User Licence (see 'Access' section below).&nbsp;Users are advised to obtain the latest edition of SN 5050 (the End User Licence version) before making an application for Special Licence data, to see whether that is suitable for their needs. A separate application must be made for each Special Licence study.&nbsp;Special Licence Access versions of ELSA include: Primary data from Wave 8 onwards (SN 8346) includes all the variables in the EUL primary dataset (SN 5050) as well as year and month of birth, consolidated ethnicity and country of birth, marital status, and more detailed medical history variables. Wave 8 Pension Age Data (SN 8375) includes all the variables in the EUL pension age data (SN 5050) as well as year and age reached state pension age variables. Wave 8 Sexual Self-Completion Data (SN 8376) includes sensitive variables from the sexual self-completion questionnaire. Wave 3 (2007) Harmonized Life History (SN 8831) includes retrospective information on previous histories, specifically, detailed data on previous partnership, children, residential, health, and work histories. Detailed geographical identifier files for Waves 1-10 which are grouped by identifier held under SN 8430 (Local Authority Type Pre-2009 Boundaries), SN 8441 (Local Authority Type Post-2009 Boundaries), SN 8431 (Quintile Index of Multiple Deprivation Score), SN 8432 (Quintile Population Density for Postcode Sectors), SN 8433 (Census 2001 Rural-Urban Indicators), SN 8437 (Census 2011 Rural-Urban Indicators). Where boundary changes have occurred, the geographic identifier has been split into two separate studies to reduce the risk of disclosure. Users are also only allowed one version of each identifier: either SN 8430 (Local Authority Type Pre-2009 Boundaries) or SN 8441(Local Authority Type Post-2009 Boundaries) either SN 8433 (Census 2001 Rural-Urban Indicators) or SN 8437 (Census 2011 Rural-Urban Indicators) ELSA Wave 6 and Wave 8 Self-Completion Questionnaires included an open-ended question where respondents could add any other comments they may wish to note down. These responses have been transcribed and anonymised. Researchers can request access to these transcribed responses for research purposes by contacting the ELSA Data Team at NatCen.English Longitudinal Study of Ageing: Waves 1-10, 2002-2023: Local Authority District Pre-2009 Boundaries (Recoded): Secure Access This dataset contains a pre-2009 boundary Local Authority District variable which has been recoded to 150 categories for disclosure control for each Wave of ELSA to date, and a unique individual serial number variable is also included for matching to the main data files. These data have more restrictive access conditions than those available under the standard Safeguarded access. These data were previously available under Special Licence from decatalogued SN&nbsp;8429.Main Topics:This dataset contains a pre-2009 boundary Local Authority District variable which has been recoded to 150 categories for disclosure control for each Wave of ELSA to date, as well as a unique individual serial number variable for matching to the main data files. A full version of the pre-2009 boundary Local Authority District variable is available under Secure Access from SN 8424. Please see the data dictionary, available as part of the documentation, for details of the coding.</div

Further Education Workforce Census in England, 2021-2024: Secure Access

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Further Education Workforce Census in England, 2021-2024: Secure Access includes annual statistics on the further education (FE) workforce in England. The information in this release is based on data collected in the Further Education Workforce Data Collection (FEWDC) and covers the 2021 to 2024 academic year.The study is split into three datasets: FE workforce: Contract and role details for staff members working in further education providers. Each row of data gives all details on a single member of staff.FE vacancies: Teacher vacancies and leader/manager vacancies in further education providers.FE college governors: Demographics of governors at General Further Education Colleges and sixth form colleges.Three datasets are available for each academic year.Main Topics:The study includes data on the following areas: size and characteristics of the FE workforce in Englandyearly Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) pay of the FE workforceteaching and management/leadership vacancies in the FE workforcesize and characteristics of the governing body in FE colleges in England.</ul

Designing for Healthy Cognitive Ageing Project: Workplace Ethnographies Data, 2022-2023

The DesHCA research aimed to develop designs for homes that could support people as they age, including if they develop cognitive, physical and/or sensory challenges. As part of this effort, an understanding of the perspectives and experiences of professionals involved in delivering such homes was important, particularly to consider the challenges and facilitators in the process. To gain an authentic, immersive understanding of this, an ethnographic approach was used in housing provider/developer organisations. The ethnographies aimed to observe home developments in action, and the interactions of those involved, particularly how they facilitated or constrained home design. Three workplace topic-oriented ethnographies were conducted, to examine the interactive processes involved in delivering projects producing age and cognitively supportive housing. Three researchers studied each of the sites, observing interactions and interviewing a small number of key individuals, spending time within the organisations and observing work practices and interactions in real time. The archived data includes fieldnotes and transcribed interviews.As we age, many of us will experience cognitive changes, and for some of us, these will develop into dementia. We know that people's homes can make the experience of cognitive changes more difficult, or can enable continuing inclusion and sense of self-worth and self-esteem. DesHCA worked with people experiencing ageing and cognitive change and those who design and develop housing. DesHCA identified housing innovations that can support living better for longer with cognitive change. Our emphasis on healthy cognitive ageing goes beyond narrow conceptions of 'dementia-friendly design' into a more expansive and inclusive approach to housing innovation. The multidisciplinary DesHCA team involved stakeholders from all areas of housing provision, including people experiencing ageing and cognitive change, architects and designers, housing experts, planners, builders and housing providers. Older people were integral to DesHCA and their health was at its heart. The project designed homes that act as demonstrators and test-beds for innovations to support healthy cognitive ageing. These designs have been developed and evaluated from stakeholder points of view, then considered at a larger scale to examine their real-world feasibility. DesHCA is feeding directly into the UK and Scottish Government City Region Deal for Central Scotland (Stirling and Clackmannanshire), providing groundwork for local housing developments. The focus of this is sustainable, lifetime health, community and economic development, addressing deprivation and inequality. To achieve these aims, DesHCA took a co-production approach, with the whole team working to identify innovations that engage with their real-world experiences and aspirations. We used a range of data collection methods and produced analyses informed the design of the demonstrator houses. These designs evolved as stakeholders interacted with them and provided feedback from their different points of view. To collect data, we asked older people to map and evaluate their own homes and to experience and comment on new design features using virtual reality (VR). They then collaborated with builders, architects and housing providers in VR workshops to identify practical, realistic and affordable designs that can support healthy cognitive ageing, and therefore longer healthy, independent life. Partners came together in interactive workshops to convert designs into plans within a fictional town, building and retrofitting homes, creating services and managing budgets. We demonstrated how designs can work out in the real world, and how to bring together the various interests involved. Throughout, issues of costs were considered, to inform business planning and help make decisions on implementation of the new designs. The impact of DesHCA is achieved through showing what works in housing design for healthy cognitive ageing. Immediately, DesHCA will feed into the City Region Deal and longer term we will provide tools for future developers to inform their decisions about housing for healthy cognitive ageing. Throughout the project, disseminate findings were distributed to the housing, architecture and building sectors through stakeholder networks. We have published rigorous research findings to provide a peer reviewed, high quality research base for innovation. Thus the project goes beyond recommendations and guidance to provide evidence to support delivery at scale, grounded in the co-production approach that draws on the real experience, interests and imperatives that drive different stakeholders. DesHCA's multidisciplinary team built capacity among early career researchers in research leadership, working across disciplines such as architecture and planning, economics, sociology and across sectors with a range of different industrial and professional stakeholders, such as housing workers, planners and construction companies.</p

Digital Inclusion of Disabled Individuals in Online and Offline Voluntary Work: Interview Data, 2024

In today’s interconnected world, internet access is often considered critical for accessing work. However, reliance on the internet also poses challenges for some disabled people, who may be vulnerable to digital exclusion. This innovative project delivered by an interprofessional team of social scientists, voluntary sector organisations, vocational rehabilitation practitioners, disability researchers, disabled people, and digital engagement specialists examined digital inclusion of disabled adults in voluntary work. The project aimed to: (1) advance understanding of how digital inclusion of disabled individuals fosters social inclusion in online and offline voluntary work; and (2) identify effective principles to boost participation, inclusivity, and leverage the potential of digital technologies in the voluntary sector organisations. A mixed-methods approach is adopted for a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem. This included qualitative interviews and analysis that will provide deeper understanding and explanations for these patterns through analysis of the lived experiences of disabled adults and survey data analysis. The key findings included: • Link Between Digital Inclusion and Volunteering: For disabled adults, being included in online and offline volunteering depends on how well they can access and use digital technology in general. The same devices, technologies, social support, and skills used in employment and other areas of life are often applied to volunteering. Because disabled adults often have less access to devices and the internet and use them less than non-disabled adults, they are more likely to miss out on volunteering opportunities that require it. • Digital Access and Divide: Most disabled adults in the UK are connected digitally, but the digital divide persists. Disabled adults face greater digital challenges and exclusion compared to non-disabled adults, with the disability digital gap remaining largely unchanged since 2018. • Digital exclusion: Nearly one million disabled adults don’t have Internet at home, 1.4 million don’t use the Internet, and about two million don’t own a smartphone or computer. • Frequency of Use and Online Exclusion: Disabled adults use the Internet less often than non-disabled adults and they are more likely to be left out of common online activities like browsing, emailing, social media, online banking, and streaming videos. • Double Disadvantage and Additional Challenges: Disabled people often come from groups that with already more limited access to the Internet and devices, such as older adults, those with low incomes, benefit recipients, renters from local authorities, people with less education and those living alone. On top of these existing barriers, being disabled means facing even more difficulties in accessing and using digital technology. • Individual Nature of Disability Experience with Digital Tools: Disabled adults’ experiences with digital tools are highly individual, shaped by factors such as impairment type, severity, presence of multiple impairments, and their social context. • Double-Edged Sword of Digital Technology and Online Volunteering: Digital technology is crucial for inclusion but can also be source of exclusion for those struggling with technology. Disabled adults are more inclined to engage in online volunteering, because of its accessibility. However, online volunteering also presents challenges that may deter some disabled volunteers. Despite some digital barriers, disabled adults show higher interest in online volunteering compared to non-disabled adults. • Importance of Internet Access for Engaging in Volunteering: Internet access and usage are crucial for enabling disabled individuals to engage in volunteering, including both online and in-person opportunities. Those who use the Internet more frequently are more likely to volunteer, even after considering their socioeconomic background. • Internet Access, Use, Devices and Volunteering Hours and Frequency: For disabled individuals, owning devices does not affect the number of volunteer hours. More frequent Internet use is linked to volunteering more hours, with exception of frequent Internet users (daily or weekly) who volunteer fewer hours. Device ownership and Internet use do not impact the frequency of volunteering. • Digital Barriers and Enablers of Volunteering: o Technology over-reliance: Over-reliance on technology can complicate volunteer journeys, especially when IT systems or support is unavailable or inadequate. o Technological assumptions: Organisations often assume people understand how to use technology and devices and may not recognise the need for support or training. o Variation in suitability of assistive devices: The effectiveness of assistive devices can facilitate or hinder participation, depending on their suitability and the level of support provided. Malfunctioning or unsuitable assistive devices can exacerbate challenges for disabled individuals. Disabled adults can experience a mismatched between requirements and devices available or provided that can lead to exclusion form volunteering opportunities. o Reliance of support networks: To be effective, use of assistive devices draws on the skills and experience of informal support networks. Organisations should remain attuned to prioritising supporting people rather than supporting technology. o Organisational culture: Organisations should encourage a culture of listening and providing empathetic support to address the specific needs of disabled volunteers and reduce digital barriers to volunteering. Support structures should be inclusive and allow volunteers to discuss their needs, ensuring parity with paid staff support. • Volunteering and Employment: Our findings suggest that, rather than volunteering serving as a direct path to paid work, employment helps disabled individuals overcome digital barriers to volunteering. The confidence, skills and resources acquired through paid employment, as well as the social capital that often comes from being part of being a part of more diverse networks that includes work colleagues as well as more personal relationships, means that those in employment might be better able to navigate some of the barriers to securing volunteering roles. Such resources are less easily initiated in volunteer roles - we heard frustrations that the Access to Work scheme, which supports paid employment, does not cover voluntary work. • Discrimination and Volunteering. Disabled people continue to experience indirect and direct discrimination. For some, the lack of appropriate devices, limited training, and organisational cultures that make people reluctant to seek support all imply a level of discrimination that makes it difficult for those in volunteering roles to always excel. Such discrimination was not always so indirect. There is evidence to indicate that those who have been in successful volunteering positions for some time suggested they are being denied employment opportunities because they are disabled.The data originate from the Digital Futures of Work Research Centre's Round 4 Innovation Fund project, *DIGITVOL: Digital Inclusion of Disabled Individuals in Online and Offline Voluntary Work*. This project investigated the impact of digitalisation on UK third-sector organisations, with a focus on the participation of disabled adults in online and offline voluntary work. The project brought together an innovative interprofessional team of social scientists, third sector practitioners, vocational rehabilitation practitioners, disabled people, and digital engagement specialists to examine digital inclusion of disabled adults in voluntary work. The project yielded fresh empirical insights from large-scale surveys and individual interview data, along with practical and policy guidelines to reduce the risk of exclusion. The findings will also have practical implications, supporting the inclusivity, employability, and well-being of disabled individuals, with potential applicability to paid work. The Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (Dig.IT) will establish itself as an essential resource for those wanting to understand how new digital technologies are profoundly reshaping the world of work. Digitalisation is a topical feature of contemporary debate. For evangelists, technology offers new opportunities for those seeking work and increased flexibility and autonomy for those in work. More pessimistic visions, in contrast, see a future where jobs are either destroyed by robots or degraded through increasingly precarious contracts and computerised monitoring. Take Uber as an example: the company claims it is creating opportunities for self-employed entrepreneurs; while workers' groups increasingly challenge such claims through legal means to improve their rights at work. While such positive and pessimistic scenarios abound of an increasingly fragmented, digitalised and flexible transformation of work across the globe, theoretical understanding of contemporary developments remains underdeveloped and systematic empirical analyses are lacking. We know, for example, that employers and governments are struggling to cope with and understand the pace and consequences of digital change, while individuals face new uncertainties over how to become and stay 'connected' in turbulent labour markets. Yet, we have no real understanding of what it means to be a 'connected worker' in an increasing 'connected' economy. Drawing resources from different academic fields of study, Dig.IT will provide an empirically innovative and international broad body of knowledge that will offer authoritative insights into the impact of digitalisation on the future of work. The Dig.IT centre will be jointly led by the Universities of Sussex and Leeds, supported by leading experts from Aberdeen, Cambridge, Manchester and Monash Universities. Its core research programme will cover four broad-ranging research themes. Theme one will set the conceptual and quantitative base for the centre's activities. Theme two involves a large-scale survey of Employers' Digital Practices at Work. Theme three involves qualitative research on employers' and employees' experiences of digitalisation at work across 4 sectors (Creative industries, Business Services, Consumer Services, Public Services). Theme 4 examines how the disconnected attempt to reconnect, through Public Employment Services, the growth of new types of self-employment, platform work and workers' responses to building new forms of voice and representation in an international context. Specific projects include: 1. The Impact of Digitalisation on Work and Employment -Conceptualising digital futures, historically, regionally and internationally -Comparative regulation of digital employment - Mapping regional and international trends of digital technology and work 2. Employers' Digital Practices at Work Survey 3. Employers' and employees' experiences of digital work across sectors -Changing management processes and practices -Workers' experiences of digital transformation 4. Reconnecting the disconnected: new channels of voice and representation - displaced workers, job search and the public employment service - self-employment, interest representation and voice Dig.IT will establish a Data Observatory on digital futures at work to promote our findings through an interactive website, report on a series of methodological seminars and new experimental methods and deliver extensive outreach activities. It will act as a one-platform library of resources at the forefront of research on digital work and will establish itself as a focal point for decision-makers across the policy spectrum, connecting with industrial strategy, employment and welfare policy. It will also manage an Innovation Fund designed to fund novel research ideas, from across the academic community as they emerge over the life course of the centre.</p

Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, 2024

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (NILT) series began in 1998, and was the successor to the previous Northern Ireland Social Attitudes series, which was discontinued in 1996.The main aims of the NILT series are: to monitor public attitudes towards social policy and political issues in Northern Ireland; to provide a time series on attitudes to key social policy areas; to facilitate academic social policy analysis; to provide a freely available resource on public attitudes for the wider community of users in Northern Ireland. NILT originally had a companion series which also began in 1998, the Young Life and Times Survey (YLT), although the YLT methodology changed in 2003 and it is conducted separately each year. The Kids' Life and Times (KLT) survey of P7 children (10-11 year olds) is also part of the same suite of surveys as YLT and NILT.NILT also forms part of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), although it does not do so every year. Unfortunately, NILT did not run in 2011 due to funding issues, though YLT ran as normal that year; NILT resumed in 2012 (SN 7408). In addition, several open access teaching datasets were created by ARK (Access Research Knowledge) from various years of NILT, covering different topics such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issues, politics and community relations, attitudes to ageing and ageism, and dementia. Further information about the series may be found on the ARK NILT webpage.NILT 2024 From 1998 to 2000, NILT surveys were undertaken as a face-to-face interview, followed by a short self-completion questionnaire. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey has since been undertaken online. Respondents could also request to complete the survey via a phone interview if they desired.Main Topics:Public attitudes to range of social policy issues:Adult safeguardingClimate changeCommunity/good relationsCriminal justice systemEducation, training and skillsGender-based violenceIncome and povertyMinority ethnic groupsPolitical attitudesRespectCommunity safety and perception of paramilitary influenceBackground demographic and socio-economic characteristics.</ul

English Housing Survey, 2023: Housing Stock Data

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The English Housing Survey (EHS) is a continuous national survey commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG) that collects information about people's housing circumstances and the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England. The EHS brings together two previous survey series into a single fieldwork operation: the English House Condition Survey (EHCS) (available from the UK Data Archive under GN 33158) and the Survey of English Housing (SEH) (available under GN 33277). The EHS covers all housing tenures. The information obtained through the survey provides an accurate picture of people living in the dwelling, and their views on housing and their neighbourhoods.&nbsp;The survey is also used to inform the development and monitoring of the Ministry's housing policies. Results from the survey are also used by a wide range of other users including other government departments, local authorities, housing associations, landlords, academics, construction industry professionals, consultants, and the general public. The EHS has a complex multi-stage methodology consisting of two main elements; an initial interview survey of around 12,000 households and a follow-up physical inspection. Some further elements are also periodically included in or derived from the EHS: for 2008 and 2009, a desk-based market valuation was conducted of a sub-sample of 8,000 dwellings (including vacant ones), but this was not carried out from 2010 onwards. A periodic follow-up survey of private landlords and agents (the Private Landlords Survey (PLS)) is conducted using information from the EHS interview survey. Fuel Poverty datasets are also available from 2003, created by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The EHS interview survey sample formed part of the Integrated Household Survey (IHS) (available from the Archive under GN 33420) from April 2008 to April 2011. During this period the core questions from the IHS formed part of the EHS questionnaire. Safeguarded and Special Licence Versions: From 2014 data onwards, the Safeguarded versions (previously known as End User Licence (EUL)) of the EHS will only include derived variables. In addition the number of variables on the new EUL datasets has been reduced and disclosure control increased on certain remaining variables. New Special Licence versions of the EHS will be deposited later in the year, which will be of a similar nature to previous EHS EUL datasets and will include derived and raw datasets. Further information about the EHS and the latest news, reports and tables can be found on the GOV.UK English Housing Survey web pages. SN 9441 - English Housing Survey, 2023: Housing Stock Data contains data from the households who have taken part in both the interview and physical surveys, as well as physical survey data on a random sample of vacant dwellings identified by the interviewer. The data from the interview survey only are available under SN 9442 - English Housing Survey, 2023-2024: Household Data.Main Topics:The EHS Housing survey consists of two components.Interview survey on the participating household -&nbsp;An interview is first conducted with the householder. The interview topics include: household characteristics, satisfaction with the home and the area, disability and adaptations to the home, ownership and rental details and income details. All interviewees are guaranteed confidentiality and all data are anonymised.Physical survey on the housing stock -&nbsp;A visual inspection of both the interior and exterior of the dwelling is carried out by a qualified surveyor to assess the condition and energy efficiency of the dwelling.&nbsp; Topics covered include whether the dwelling meets the Decent Homes Standard; cost to make the dwelling decent; existence of damp and &nbsp;Category 1 Hazards as measured by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS); Energy Efficiency Rating. The physical survey is carried out on the dwelling of a sub-sample of the participants of the interview survey.&nbsp; The sub-sample consists of the dwelling of participants living in private or social&nbsp;rented properties and a sub-sample of those in owner occupied properties. A proportion of the dwellings found to be vacant during the interview survey are also included in the physical survey.</p

An Assessment of Food Systems Research Network for Africa Fellows’ Professional Experiences at Baseline, 2021

A dataset was created from responses to a baseline survey conducted to understand the professional experiences of FSNet-Africa fellows at the beginning of the FSNet-Africa Fellowship, which is part of an early career researcher development program. The survey specifically targeted 20 FSNet-Africa fellows from higher education institutions in Africa. Its objective was to understand the fellows' professional experiences in the following areas: networks and visibility, potential, skills development, performance improvement, and personal growth across eight dimensions of professional development. These dimensions include conducting integrated research, research data management, integrating gender in research, research ethics, monitoring and evaluation, disseminating research findings, and stakeholder engagement.The Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa) will strengthen food systems research and its translation into implementable interventions in support of interrelated Sustainable Development Goals related to food systems in Africa (focusing on SDG2 - Zero Hunger). The network partners - University of Pretoria (UP) (ARUA-CoE in Food Security host), University of Leeds (UoL) (GCRF-AFRICAP host) and the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) (GCRF-AFRICAP partner) have been selected based on their track record of working together, strengths in food systems research and existing partnerships with food systems stakeholders. The major contribution of FSNet-Africa to addressing the challenge of SDG2 will be its focus on developing a new understanding of the African food systems through developing the FSNet-Africa Food Systems Framework and utilising systems-based methodologies to conduct research that enhances understanding of the components of the framework, the interactions between these components, and ultimately the leverage points for food system transformation. The latter will be implemented by an interdisciplinary cohort of early career research fellows (ECRF) who are supported in their research to identify (in dialogue with food systems stakeholders) and evaluate climate-smart, nutrition-sensitive, poverty-reducing interventions. FSNet-Africa will collaboratively produce context-relevant, interdisciplinary research through creating 2-year long structured opportunities for up to 30 ECRF, majority female, who obtained their PhD's less than 10 years ago to (i) conduct impact-focused, gender sensitive, interdisciplinary research related to African food systems, (ii) build lasting research networks, and (iii) develop their skills to translate their research impactfully. ECRF will be selected from 10 academic partner institutions in six countries - Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. The three formal components of the fellowships (science, mentorship and leadership development) will ensure that the ECRF are positioned in the necessary enabling environment and are provided with the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to produce excellent research, achieve the project objectives and significantly advance their academic careers. During the fellowship, each fellow will be assigned at least two mentors - one from an African university and the other from the UK. These research-triads will be carefully matched to ensure that the triad is an interdisciplinary team, enabling the ECRF to receive the support they need to develop and implement quality interdisciplinary research projects. The Science Component of the fellowship will be comprised of a fellowship orientation workshop, funding for research, participation in a split-site winter/summer school and a write-shop. After attending an Orientation Workshop with their mentors, ECRF will be expected to develop their research proposals that focus on climate-smart, nutrition-sensitive and poverty-reducing food systems solutions. Six months later, a 10-week split-site winter/summer school (at UP's Future Africa Campus and at the University of Leeds) will provide the ECRF with the opportunity to finalise their research proposals for implementation and to participate in various capacity development workshops. The Leadership Component will give ECRF the opportunity to develop skills the skills they need to be future food systems science leaders - such as managing research teams and leadership in science-policy communication. As a mechanism to facilitate research uptake and impact, every project undertaken by the ECRF will be co-designed and implemented in partnership with relevant policymakers, private sector role players or grassroots level organisations who will engage directly with the research teams at the Orientation Workshop, during the Winter School and in-country to implement the research.</p

Longer-Term Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children’s Speech and Language Development: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Teacher Perspectives: Metadata and Documentation, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted education for children worldwide. Existing research focuses on the shorter-term effects of the Pandemic, with limited research exploring the longer-term effects of COVID, especially with regards to how it has affected children’s speech and language development. The closure of child-care settings as well as social isolation from peers meant that children who should have been developing their language and communication skills were unable to do so in the usual way. The aim of this study was to explore longer-term effects of pandemic related changes on children’s speech and language development. Teaching staff are well-placed to offer insights into the current speech and language issues children who were infants and toddlers during the COVID-19 pandemic may now be experiencing. Purposive sampling recruited nine members of teaching staff working with children in Early Years, who would have been infants aged between 1-2 years at the start of the pandemic. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions and analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Three themes emerged; Longer-Term Impacts, Changes Due to the Pandemic, and Methods to Counteract COVID’s Effects. The closure of pre-educational settings, social isolation and a lack of health visitor checks has led to a significant increase in the number of children experiencing speech and language development difficulties, which teachers are supporting with play-based learning and specialist interventions. The Data Collection only consists of metadata and documentation as the data could not be archived due to legal, ethical or commercial constraints