Champions of the ONS Longitudinal Study
We are delighted to announce a new series of Linking our Lives with fresh new artwork. Presented by our very own Chris Garrington, the series hears from researchers considered to be champions of the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study, a dataset based on a 1% sample of the Census, which can be used to research some of major social changes and developments of our time.
In the first episode of this series, we chat with two leading experts in population geography, Tony Champion and Ian Shuttleworth, about their decades of research using this unique census-based data. They’ve dedicated their careers to understanding the intricate patterns of internal migration – the movement of people within the borders of England and Wales – and how it shapes our society.
The Power of Longitudinal Data
What makes the LS so special? It’s the ability to track the same individuals over time, linking census data from one decade to the next. This provides a rich tapestry of information about people’s lives – their employment, housing, social status – and how these factors intertwine with their decisions to move. As Tony Champion explains, the LS offers a “huge range of information on people’s personal characteristics and housing circumstances and what they do in the workplace and so on,” far beyond the basic age and gender data typically available.
From Escalator Regions to Cornish Economies
Tony’s early work, inspired by Tony Fielding, explored the concept of “escalator regions,” areas like the Southeast of England where individuals could accelerate their career progression by moving there. He later investigated the impact of migration on regional economies, focusing on Cornwall. His research revealed that while some hoped that inward migration to Cornwall would boost the local economy, the reality was more complex. Many newcomers weren’t engaging fully with the labor market, impacting the region’s economic growth.
Uncovering Migration Trends
Ian Shuttleworth’s research has focused on long-term trends in internal migration. Using the LS, he and Tony investigated whether the decline in internal migration observed in the US was also happening in England and Wales. The LS, with its “sufficient temporal depth,” proved to be the perfect tool for this investigation. Ian highlights the LS’s strength in minimising attrition, as it links census records rather than relying on surveys. Their findings revealed a significant decrease in short-distance moves, a key insight into the changing dynamics of internal migration.
Highlights and Discoveries
Both Tony and Ian shared some of the highlights of their work with the LS. For Tony, it was uncovering the return migration patterns of those who had moved to the Southeast, showing that many left before retirement, often to improve their quality of life. For Ian, it was the collaborative nature of the research and the impact of the beta test, which sparked numerous publications and new research directions.
Encouraging Wider Use
Both researchers are passionate about encouraging more population geographers to use the LS. They emphasise the importance of understanding the access process, engaging with support staff, and being clear about research questions and study populations. Tony highlights the potential for combining qualitative and quantitative research, while Ian stresses the importance of parsimony when selecting data.
Looking Ahead: The 2021 Census and Beyond
The 2021 Census brings new opportunities and challenges. Ian and Tony are currently involved in a beta test, updating their previous research on migration decline and exploring new variables like national identity. They are also keenly interested in understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migration patterns.
A Treasure Trove of Data
The ONS Longitudinal Study is a powerful resource for understanding the complex dynamics of internal migration. As Tony and Ian’s research demonstrates, it offers invaluable insights into how migration shapes individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole. By sharing their experiences and insights, they hope to inspire a new generation of researchers to explore the rich potential of this unique dataset.
Looking for references? Check out the accompanying blog – Six things the ONS Longitudinal study has taught us about internal migration – for more information.
The Research Podcasts team
The Linking our Lives podcast is produced by the Celsius team in collaboration with Research Podcasts and is published monthly.
It is Executive Produced and presented by Research Podcasts’ Chris Garrington. Krissie Brighty-Glover supports the team on marketing and promotion of the series.
Research Podcasts offer podcast consultancy, production and training for researchers and academics. If you have an idea, we can make it a reality.
Listen to episode 1 of series 3 now:
Krissie Brighty-Glover, Director of Training