NIC Improving Outcomes Economics and Applied Data Policy Fellowship
Lead Research Organisation:
National Institute of Economic and Social Research
Department Name: National Institute of Economic & Soc Res
Abstract
Each fellowship will last up to 18 months to cover:
a 3-month inception phase for set up activity
a 12-month placement with the host organisation
an impact phase lasting up to 3 months
Fellows will co-design projects and activities with their host and produce analysis to inform government decision-making across a range of policy priorities. Fellows will also engage across the host organisation, building effective working relationships and supporting wider knowledge exchange with researchers.
This will be supported through their embedded role within the host organisation, including line management support.
a 3-month inception phase for set up activity
a 12-month placement with the host organisation
an impact phase lasting up to 3 months
Fellows will co-design projects and activities with their host and produce analysis to inform government decision-making across a range of policy priorities. Fellows will also engage across the host organisation, building effective working relationships and supporting wider knowledge exchange with researchers.
This will be supported through their embedded role within the host organisation, including line management support.
Publications
Marioni LDS
(2024)
Transport Connectivity in the UK: Regional Disparities and Policies Pathways
Marioni LDS
(2024)
What might be the economic implications of autonomous vehicles?
Marioni LDS
(2025)
Mind the Regional Transport Connectivity Gap
| Description | The Fellowship focuses on improving the National Infrastructure Commission's long-term infrastructure strategy by expanding the types of evidence used, particularly through the innovative use of large data sets and microdata in novel ways. I collaborate closely with NIC analysts, and senior managers engaging in regular discussions to determine the best methodologies for addressing the questions they were working on to uncover new opportunities for infrastructure to better support regional economic growth, productivity, and competitiveness. As part of my research, we examine transport connectivity in the UK, analysing regional disparities and proposing policy interventions. Using NIC data, we assess intra-urban and inter-urban connectivity across various transport modes. Our findings show significant regional disparities in transport connectivity across the UK, with public transport generally lagging behind private car travel. Urban centres, especially in southern England, face the dual challenges of poor public transport connectivity and high congestion, while rural areas, despite experiencing lower congestion levels, struggle with inadequate public transport services. To address these challenges, we recommend a range of policies including rail reform, improved bus services, infrastructure transformation, and promotion of greener transport. We emphasise the importance of devolving transport budgets to local authorities and creating seamless connections between transport modes. While recent government proposals offer a promising start, swift action and continued investment are crucial to improve the UK's transport connectivity, reduce regional disparities, and support sustainable economic growth. |
| Exploitation Route | Through blogs, a policy paper and academic papers. |
| Sectors | Construction Environment Transport |
| Description | I have presented my findings internally within the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) and externally at key events, including a research seminar at the NIC and a policy conference at the Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum. My research has contributed to discussions on transport connectivity disparities across the UK, highlighting the need for policy interventions such as rail reform, improved bus services, and infrastructure investment. A policy paper developed during the fellowship has informed ongoing debates on regional transport strategies. Additionally, my analysis on transport and productivity has been integrated into discussions at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), shaping future research directions. My findings have also been referenced in media engagements and policy discussions, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based decision-making in transport policy. As an ongoing task, I continue to engage with policymakers and industry stakeholders to ensure that my research informs long-term transport infrastructure planning. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2025 |
| Sector | Transport |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Reflections on contribution |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | My work has influenced policy and practice at the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) by improving the rigor of economic impact assessments for connectivity improvements. This has led to more informed decision-making, reducing the risk of using less robust quantification strategies that could have undermined the Commission's reputation and influence. Additionally, my contributions have expanded NIC's engagement with external research communities, particularly in distributional analysis, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration that enhances analytical approaches. The integration of economic outcome analysis into transport evaluation has also helped shift the focus toward assessing real-world impacts, influencing future transport investment decisions. While direct policy changes may take time to materialise, the improved analytical frameworks and external collaborations set a foundation for more evidence-based infrastructure planning. Evidence of this impact includes published work, speaking engagements, and ongoing collaborations with external researchers. |
| Description | NIC research seminar on future research idea about transport connectivity and productivity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | I have presented my research idea to work with colleagues at the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) about the effects of autonomous vehicles on transport connectivity and productivity in the UK. The impact of this engagement has been significant. This presentation helped stimulate further dialogue on the role of transport in national productivity strategies and reinforced the importance of research-driven policy development. Further, it helped to develop the research further linking to current work that was being developed at the NIC at the time. This work has influenced ongoing debates about the integration of autonomous vehicles into the UK's transport strategy, positioning my research as a key resource in shaping future policy directions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | NIESR research seminar on research idea about transport connectivity and productivity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I shared insights on the effects of autonomous vehicles on transport connectivity and productivity in the UK with colleagues, and stakeholders at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR). This presentation explored how autonomous vehicle technology could reshape regional and urban transport networks, impact economic productivity, and present new challenges for policymakers. The discussion with academics, researchers and stakeholders at NIESR was crucial to develop further the research ideas and discuss feasibility in terms of methodological approach. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | National Infrastructure Commission research seminar on my previous research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | I delivered a research seminar on my previous work on productivity, focusing on how productivity and economic performance could related to the work being developed at the NIC. The session provided an opportunity to engage with researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals, facilitating discussions on the practical applications of these findings in infrastructure planning and policy development. The presentation not only facilitated the internal dissemination of my previous research findings but also helped me develop relationships with colleagues for future collaboration. Several participants requested previously published outputs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Winter 2025 Economic Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 90 people attended the Economic Forum at my institution (NIESR), where speakers explored our main insights into the UK and global economies, including my box analysis "Mind the Regional Transport Connectivity Gap" funded by this grant. The presentation sparked questions and discussions afterwards, and the NIESR reported increased interest in our Outlook and related subject areas, with a further 80 views of the recording from YouTube (to the present). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws-FKIxq-Tc |
| Description | Winter 2025 Economic Roundtable |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | NIESR corporate members attended a round table at my institution (NIESR), where speakers explored our main insights into the UK and global economies, including my box analysis "Mind the Regional Transport Connectivity Gap" funded by this grant. The presentation sparked questions and discussions afterwards, and the NIESR reported increased interest in our Outlook and related subject areas. Note that our corporate members include government departments, third sector institutions and private sector companies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Winter 2025 Press Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 24 journalists attended the press conference at my institution (NIESR), where speakers explored our main insights into the UK and global economies, including my box analysis "Mind the Regional Transport Connectivity Gap" funded by this grant. The presentation sparked questions and discussions afterwards, and the NIESR reported increased interest in our Outlook and related subject areas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |