Fair and sustainable economies
We co-create knowledge to support the development of economies that deliver shared prosperity and environmental sustainability, and work with governments and partners to address inequalities and promote full economic participation and inclusion.
Our collective inter-disciplinary research expertise enables us to focus on:
- investigating the ‘productivity puzzle’
- identifying macro-economic enablers
- addressing employment and pay gaps
- creating models of financial inclusion
- advancing green energy, technologies, systems and processes
- promoting diversity in entrepreneurship and social enterprise.
Economic and environmental sustainability
Our work on economic and environmental sustainability is led by the Welsh Economy Research Unit, an authoritative source on regional economic, social and environmental impact analysis with specific expertise on Wales.
We’ve also invested in research on green and sustainable logistics, sustainable business operations on emerging economies and sustainable city brands, in addition to working within University-wide interdisciplinary Centres and Institutes to investigate aspects of the sustainable economy and accelerate impact. These include:
- The Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Systems at Cardiff, which focuses on the economic and environmental sustainability of manufacturing firms and their supply chains.
- The Water Research Institute, which develops models for sustainable water management for people and ecosystems.
- The Sustainable Places Research Institute, which sources responsible solutions to diminishing resources and the climate emergency.
Economic participation and inclusion
Our researchers determine why women, disabled people and BAME communities continue to be excluded from economic participation. Funded by the Office of Manpower Economics, Dr Ezgi Kaya and Professor Melanie Jones have evaluated the size of the gender pay gap within UK public sector and informed the work of the independent public sector pay review bodies. While in 2018, Honorary Fellow Dr Alison Parken received an OBE for her role in developing an evidence base for promoting socio-economic equality through policymaking in organisational practices.
Many organisations today follow and implement equality legislation enforced by the government. But there are also firms committed to equality and diversity taking positive steps driven by good business practice and not by legislation. These organisations make principles of diversity and inclusion the norm by constantly reviewing their culture and recruitment practices. They enforce zero tolerance policies on bullying and harassment. They also proactively offer flexible working conditions and childcare facilities, which means greater accessibility for working mothers and fathers. And more and more we’re seeing organisations set equality and diversity targets and measure progress against them.
Within the broader context of women’s economic participation, Dr Shumaila Yousafzai and Professor Tim Edwards have led research and engagement work on the experiences of women entrepreneurs, collaborating with BAME communities in Cardiff and with Yaina Samuels - a social entrepreneur and one of our Public Value Entrepreneurs in Residence. In addition to their research outputs, their work has led to valuable engagement, learning and teaching opportunities for staff, students and our local community in Cardiff.
Making a difference through our research
Our research impacts on people and policy, making a difference to our economy, to society and our environment.
The productivity puzzle
Leading expert in productivity and small business, Professor Melanie Jones is the Wales lead for a new £32m ESRC-funded Productivity Institute, which aims to lay foundations for a new era of sustained and inclusive economic growth.
Research by Dr Alison Parken and Professor Rachel Ashworth demonstrates that gender mainstreaming shapes action on gender segregation and reduces pay gaps, with particular success in women's low-paid employment.
Professor Max Munday and Dr Andrea Collins worked together with UK Sport to examine the economic and environmental impact of major sporting events.
