Social inequality focus for national conference

15th August 2016

Sheffield Hallam University's Centre for Regional and Economic Research (CRESR) is hosting a national conference focusing on social inequalities.

The one-day conference, which is being held at Sheffield City Hall on Thursday 15 September and jointly organised with People, Place and Policy (PPP) journal, will explore the implications of changing forms of governance for social and spatial inequalities across the UK and beyond. Key themes will include inclusive growth, public service reform, the impacts of austerity 'at the frontline'; and devolution. Confirmed keynote speakers include Professor Ruth Lupton (University of Manchester), Professor Andrew Cumbers and Professor Annette Hastings (both University of Glasgow), Professor Ian Cole (Sheffield Hallam University), Neil Berry (Locality) and Gail Gibbons (Sheffield Futures). Several of the research papers are being presented publicly for the first time, including the Housing, Infrastructure and Poverty research project on behalf of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation; evaluation of the Talent Match programme for the Big Lottery Fund; findings from new research into changing financial models for housing associations; and an evaluation of the Rotherham Social Prescribing Pilot on behalf of Rotherham Council. Dr Will Eadson, research fellow at CRESR, said: "There is growing recognition that the political responses to the financial crisis of 2007-08 have generated or intensified forms of governance that are becoming embedded as the 'new normal' in an era of entrenched austerity. "The conference will provide an opportunity to critically examine the novelty, permanence and effectiveness of these changing forms of governance as well as the outcomes for marginalised groups and places." CRESR is a leading UK policy research centre, developed to understand the impact of social and economic disadvantage on places and people, and assess critically the policies and interventions targeted at these issues. Much of CRESR's research helps inform policy at a local and national government level, with clients including government departments and agencies, local authorities, charities and foundations, international organisations, and the private sector. Click here for more information about the conference, including booking details.