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IER contributes to Cedefop's European skills revolution seminar

IER's Gianni AnelliLink opens in a new window participated in the "Expanding real-time skills intelligence to accelerate Europe's skills revolution" seminar, organised by Cedefop in Brussels, Belgium. The event, held on 2 April 2024, brought together experts and stakeholders to explore the development of real-time skills intelligence in Europe. Discussions focused on enhancing the use of online labour market data to better understand and respond to evolving skill demands, helping to inform more effective education and training policies across the continent.  

Gianni contributed by presenting insights from the methodology proposed in his PhD thesis, which uses online job vacancy data from Chile to identify emerging skill shortages. While the research is based on the Chilean context, the methodology is applicable to other countries, highlighting the value of timely, data-driven intelligence in addressing skills challenges globally.

New research traces the evolution of social value in public procurement

Public procurement is an important market and a key area of public spending. As such, it has increasingly come into focus as a tool for promoting social policy objectives. In this vein, 鈥榮ocial value鈥� is an increasingly important concept in public purchasing. In 鈥淔rom social justice to social value: The changing fortunes of using public purchasing for social ends鈥�, IER's Dr Katharina Sarter,Link opens in a new window with her co-authors, Wright, Conley and Mamode, propose a framework for conceptualising the relationship of social justice and different notions of value that exist within public procurement.  

Beginning with an examination of contract compliance practices, the authors meticulously trace the origins and evolution of 'social value' as a guiding concept. Their analysis explores the development of social dimensions in procurement, with particular focus on equality considerations, while highlighting the persistent tensions between different value concepts that have shaped policy development over four decades. This timely research provides valuable historical context for understanding current debates about the role of public spending in creating broader societal benefits beyond immediate cost considerations.

Wright, T., Conley, H., Mamode, J. C., & Sarter, E. (2025).  Public Policy and Administration, 0(0).

In Memoriam: Prof Claire Callender OBE - By Chris Warhurst, Kate Purcell and Sangwoo Lee

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Professor Claire Callender OBE. She held joint professorships at UCL and Birkbeck. She was a distinguished scholar, valued colleague and Honorary Professor of the Institute for Employment Research. Claire was a first-rate researcher whose impact on higher education policy and funding was profound, not only in the UK but internationally. Her work was driven by a commitment to conducting policy-relevant research that would inform government decisions and expose social injustices, embodying the principle of "not just understanding the world but changing it" in the finest social science tradition.  

From 2009 to 2012, Claire led the HECSU-funded 鈥楶art-time Futuretrack鈥� study alongside David Wilkinson and colleagues at NIESR, which complemented 滨贰搁鈥檚 Futuretrack longitudinal programme. This collaboration fostered stimulating exchanges and meetings that enriched both research initiatives. Over the years, Claire and members of the IER worked together on various programmes, served on research panels and supported each other鈥檚 scholarly endeavours. In recognition of her valuable contributions to the Institute, she was appointed an Honorary Professor of the IER in 2021.

On a personal level, Claire was known for her generosity as a mentor and colleague. She interviewed potential staff members with thoughtfulness and insight and offered invaluable guidance to early career researchers in developing their research careers. Her willingness to serve as an official and informal mentor for various initiatives demonstrated her commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers. Those fortunate enough to have known Claire remember her not only for her intellectual sharpness but also as a truly kind and generous person, whose company was always a pleasure. Even colleagues who worked with her only occasionally appreciated both her personally and the quality of her work whenever their paths crossed.

Claire鈥檚 passing will be mourned widely across the higher education research community. Her legacy lives on through her influential body of work and in the many researchers and policymakers she inspired throughout her distinguished career. The Institute for Employment Research extends its deepest condolences to Claire's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.