Peter Urwin is Professor of Applied Economics and Director of the Centre for Employment Research [CER] at the University of Westminster. He has over 15 years’ experience leading large-scale evaluations for a range of government departments, including DWP, BEIS, MoJ, DfE, HMRC and MoD; he is Principle Investigator for the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded study, Early Identification of Young People at Risk of Poor Educational and Labour Market Outcomes; and co-investigator on a large ESRC-funded study of Managerial Competences, Engagement and Productivity.
Prof Urwin’s research investigates issues of education and social mobility, equality and diversity, entrepreneurship, employment relations and tax policy, with a focus on the use of advanced econometric techniques to capture causal impacts from policy interventions. Peter’s academic and policy work covers over 100 published outputs and he has provided expert advice to a range of bodies including DfE, Cabinet Office, National Audit Office, Ernst and Young, Diageo, Acas, DIT and HM Treasury.
Since 2010 Peter has led a series of investigations using matched administrative datasets, now referred to as Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data. This draws together administrative information from government departments, including DWP, HMRC and DfE. As part of this programme of research Peter has led some of largest studies of linked admin data, and research findings have been important in overturning previous evidence that underestimated the value of Further Education. These findings have formed important components of Spending Review submissions, and Peter’s expertise in the area of Technical Education has been recognised with an invite to Number 10 Downing Street.
Prof Urwin ensures that all his work is driven by practical questions of policy, and each year he delivers the Use of Evidence and Analysis in Policymaking to the HM Treasury graduate intake. In 2019 Peter was commissioned by HM Treasury to complete a series of six podcasts tackling Cost Benefit Analysis, Regression, RCTs, Economic Models, Management Information and Surveys. These are now the main technical support materials for those working in HM Treasury.
Peter’s work is produced to the highest academic standards, securing publication in top-ranked academic journals (see CV); he has served as a National Audit Office (NAO) Expert Panel member; on the GES Board of Professional Development; he is an expert member of the Cabinet Office Academic Advisory Panel; and also the DfE Skills Policy Analysis Academic Panel.
His research has three core themes: Big Data: Education & Employment; Employment Relations & Conflict Resolution and Diversity & Equality.
Prof Peter Urwin 