What first attracted you to IFS?

Put simply, I was very keen to apply economics to important real-life problems and IFS offered this opportunity.

Which projects are you working on at the moment?

Assessing the impact of reforms aimed at increasing the rate at which individuals receiving incapacity benefits move off benefit and into employment. In particular, this analysis is considering the impact of the reforms on the finances of both claimants of incapacity benefits and the government.
I am also working on a research project examining some of the likely impacts of the Pensions Bill that is currently going through parliament. We're looking at the characteristics of those who will find themselves enrolled automatically into a private pension as a result of the reform. We consider the extent to which they have characteristics - for example debts - that might mean that they should not be currently saving in a private pension, and also the likely distribution of contributions to the proposed new Personal Accounts.
I have been involved in a series of projects looking at the impact of pension systems on different outcomes across different countries. The latest phase of this work has been looking to see whether there is any evidence that pension arrangements that incentivise older individuals to remain in the labour market come at the cost of fewer job opportunities for younger individuals. In addition to learning about the pension arrangements, and labour market outcomes, in different countries, this project has also involved annual conferences in nice locations across Europe!

What kind of things do you do during a typical day at work?

Like other IFS researchers I spend some time conducting analysis of microdata and summarising the findings in both written publications and oral presentations. When 'external' policy events happen - such as either the release of new figures on Government borrowing or new policy statements by the Government or main opposition parties - I also often spend time thinking through the implications and disseminating these to journalists, either on the phone or in an interview for radio or TV broadcast. Sometimes colleagues and I meet with ministers, their advisers, senior civil servants or other interested groups to discuss policy questions.
I manage a team of five researchers, so some time is spent talking to them about the progress of their work. I am responsible for overseeing our team's finances, ensuring that we have enough funding to cover the research we want to do and that the researchers in my team are not overcommitted. As Deputy Director of the Institute, I also meet regularly with other senior staff to discuss IFS's finances and strategy.

What do you particularly enjoy about the job?

I particularly enjoy the mix of work at IFS - for example, working both on projects that will be disseminated largely through peer-reviewed academic journals and on projects that will be disseminated primarily through reports aimed at the policy-making community. I also enjoy having a balance of longer-term projects (some of which can run for years) and shorter-term projects (some of which can run for only a month or two).

How has your career progressed so far at IFS?

I joined IFS in September 1996, having just completed an undergraduate degree at the LSE, and while working for IFS I studied part-time for an MSc at Birkbeck College. My research at IFS was initially in the area of local government but I have since moved on to focus on UK policy on pensions and saving policy and the public finances, and I have led the team of IFS researchers in this area since 2001. In 2004 I was also appointed Deputy Director, which means I am involved in managerial decisions and questions about the Institute's strategic direction.

What have you learned from working here?

Lots! And despite having been here for quite a while I continue to learn more.

How would you describe the working environment?

There are many good things about the working environment at IFS, but for me the best is that everyone is very committed to, and very enthused by, their research and is keen to talk about it both inside and outside the Institute.