Equalities research

Latest research

August 2012

• Changing attitudes to equality: Key findings
  There is a broad consensus on equality values, but not attitudes – data suggests that there has never been consensus of attitudes, with complexity and diversity at the individual level still remaining today.  However they are changing in the longer term and in some areas quicker than others.  Here are the key findings.

September 2011

• Voluntary gender equality reporting in organisations with 150 to 249 employees
  This report was produced for the GEO by the Institute for Employment Studies and aims to understand transparency on gender pay gaps and workforce diversity in organisations with between 150 and 249 employees. It investigates both the propensity of organisations of this size to be open about pay and diversity in their organisation and what they do analyse and report on.
  Published 14 September 2011

August 2011

• Evaluation of the Equality Act 2010: evidence dossier
  We commissioned the Equality and Diversity Forum to identify research relevant to the evaluation of the Equality Act 2010.
  Published 3 August 2011

July 2011

• National Institute of Economic and Social Research Report on LGBT equality in the workplace
  We commissioned research to identify the barriers faced by employers in ensuring their workplaces are LGB&T-friendly.
  Published 19 July 2011

June 2011

• Evaluation of the Black, Asian and minority ethnic women councillors' taskforce
  An evaluation was conducted into the taskforce's aim to consider practical ways of encouraging BAME women to become local councillors and make councils more representative. The evaluation shows that significant outcomes had been achieved in this short time. 
  Published June 2011 

March 2011

• Understanding the stability and sustainability of the violence against women voluntary sector
  We commissioned independent research to improve understanding of the stability and sustainability of the voluntary sector services dealing with violence against women (VAW). This publication reports findings from that research.
  Published March 2011
  
• Evaluation of special funds for the sexual violence voluntary and community sector
  In 2010 we commissioned an independent evaluation of the 09/10 Special Fund and, retrospectively, of the 08/09 Emergency Fund. This publication report findings from the evaluation, including the finding that the Funds met the key aims of ensuring continuity of services for victims of sexual violence, and prevented closure of voluntary organisations providing those services, for those organisations which had received grants.|
  Published March 2011

February 2011

• Quality part-time work: an evaluation of the quality part-time work fund
  In response to the Women and Work Commission’s recommendations in 2006, the Government funded a Quality Part-time Work Fund programme aimed at achieving culture change so that more senior jobs would be open to part-time and flexible working. This report evaluates this programme.
  Published February 2011

January 2011

• Measuring inequality: autonomy - the degree of empowerment in decisions about one's own life
  This research report develops survey questions to capture and measure individuals’ autonomy: the degree of choice and control they have in key areas of their lives. Review of the theoretical literature led to the identification of three components of autonomy: (i) self-reflection, (ii) active or delegated decision-making, and (iii) a wide variety of high-quality options. The report develops a template of questions for the three components, which has been cognitively tested. This project found that, despite limitations, survey measurement of the complex concept of autonomy is possible and revealing. You can read the summary and access a Level 3 accessible PDF format of the report.
  Published January 2011

December 2010

• Experiences of, and barriers to, participation in public and political life for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
  We commissioned research into the opportunities and barriers faced for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) people in public and political participation was published. This report and its recommendations will enable us to develop targeted actions to improve the opportunities for, and tackle the barriers faced by, LGB&T people who want to participate in public, political and community life.
  Published December 2010
  
• Caste discrimination and harassment in Great Britain
  Government-commissioned research into the prevalence of caste prejudice and discrimination undertaken by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
  Published December 2010
  
• Ethnic minority women's poverty and economic well-being
  Research by ISER's Alita Nandi and Lucinda Platt, published by the Government Equalities Office, concludes that ethnic minority women experience excess poverty. The report is a detailed account of the inequalities found among women and between women and men.
  Published December 2010