I am a Professor of Economics at ISER, University of Essex. My research agenda is focused on the nature, causes, and consequences of disparities in children’s human capital that lead to inequalities later on in life.  My most recent papers seek to better understand the role of socio-emotional skills in dynamic models of child development and explore how these skills help explain differences in labour market outcomes.   

As of March 2020 I am the new Director of the ESRC-funded Centre for Micro Social Change (MiSoC). MiSoC is a multidisciplinary centre, promoting collaboration between economists, sociologists and other social scientists, and using quantitative social science to provide evidence with which to address key societal challenges. MiSoC has been based at ISER at the University of Essex since 1989. Our programme of work for the 2019-2024 cycle will investigate how individuals and families are responding to the challenge of the world’s need for a creative, adaptable labour force - with higher levels of education and a greater reliance on social skills. It will also explore demographic changes: including new family structures, changing gender roles, an ageing population and growing diversity from migration.