Digital Divide

Can we upskill the health and social care workforce to meet the growing demand for digital transformation?

By Alan Davies and Angela Davies Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted: April 22, 2024

There has been growing interest regarding the potential of digital transformation to aid the UK’s health and social care system in its ambition to meet modern demands placed upon it. But what skills do different employees in this sector need – and is the infrastructure in place to support them? Here, Dr Alan Davies and […]

Mapping the divide: Learning from the landscape of local economic performance

By Cecilia Wong and Helen Zheng Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, Levelling up Posted: October 12, 2023

Inequality can be sliced many ways. A key aspect of the UK’s picture on inequality falls starkly along spatial lines of geography. So how can mapping spatial differences make policymaking more effective and targeted? In this article, from our Power in Place publication, Professor Cecilia Wong and Dr Wei Zheng discuss the importance of spatial […]

Child of the North: Schools and education

By Caroline Bond and Pamela Qualter Filed Under: All posts, Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted: April 20, 2022

COVID-19 exposed the disadvantage suffered by children and young people in our most deprived areas, disproportionately in the north of England. In this blog, Professor Caroline Bond and Professor Pamela Qualter discuss how these problems, and the accumulating evidence, demand a policy response. This is an adaptation of an article they co-authored for the Child […]

Why we must act now to confront the new global digital divide

By Chris Foster and Shamel Azmeh Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion Posted: March 2, 2022

As digital technologies become more widespread, there is a risk that developing countries will be left behind if they cannot afford to invest at the same rate as other countries. In this article, Dr Chris Foster and Dr Shamel Azmeh discuss the dangers of international firms and leading economies dominating the global digital economy, and […]

How the digital healthcare revolution leaves the most vulnerable behind

By Arpana Verma, Claudia Pagliari, Omer Ali and Elizabeth Dalgarno Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Health and Care Posted: January 20, 2022

Digital technology in healthcare was vital during the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure that people maintained access to health services when they were not available in-person. However, the move to digital healthcare disadvantaged some patients and placed them at risk of greater inequality and vulnerability. Here, Dr Omer Ali, Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno, Dr Claudia Pagliari […]

The digital economy could be more productive – but will it be more inclusive?

By Bart van Ark Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion Posted: January 6, 2022

Digital technology can help people to remain productive despite disruptions to daily life. However, this is only possible when people are able to access and use the technology that is available to them. Here, Professor Bart van Ark from The Productivity Institute warns of the dangers of a K-shaped recovery and lists the steps that […]

Homeworking experiences during lockdown

By Debra Howcroft and Phil Taylor Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures Posted: December 13, 2021

Like millions of others, call centre workers were required to work from home at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this blog, Professor Debra Howcroft and Professor Phil Taylor examine the experiences of call centre staff and provide recommendations for improvement in the future. Managerial staff often directly and indirectly control call centre workers […]

Employability meets education: Why essays and exams are not enough

By Drew Whitworth Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Education Posted: December 7, 2021

In an increasingly digital world, the skills that students require to succeed in employment are changing but assessments within education settings are not. In this blog, Dr Drew Whitworth discusses the potential pitfalls of traditional forms of assessment, such as essays and exams, which focus on information retention instead of application, and highlights how practice-based […]

Bridging the digital divide: Greater Manchester schools creating pathways to success

By Paul Armstrong, Stephen Rayner and Melvin Ainscow Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Education Posted: November 25, 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority created the Pathways to Success strategy to support schools to deliver education to vulnerable children during lockdown. In this blog, Dr Paul Armstrong, Dr Stephen Rayner and Emeritus Professor Mel Ainscow reflect on the strategy and explore the opportunities for schools to implement aspects of it […]

Only a call away: Reducing loneliness and social isolation in older people

By Lis Boulton Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Social Care Posted: September 29, 2021

For many older people, the COVID-19 pandemic increased levels of loneliness and isolation. They were unable to visit friends and family, and access in-person support. Low levels of digital literacy among older people also prevented them from making the most of online support services. Here, Dr Lis Boulton assesses the effects that the pandemic had […]

Mapping the divide: Learning from the landscape of local economic performance

Child of the North: Schools and education

Why we must act now to confront the new global digital divide

The digital economy could be more productive – but will it be more inclusive?

Employability meets education: Why essays and exams are not enough

Bridging the digital divide: Greater Manchester schools creating pathways to success

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