The economic inclusion team carry out research on issues surrounding inclusion, unemployment and worklessness in the West Midlands.
This programme of research provides data and analysis to inform the Observatory's wider research programme on measuring the scale of the challenge.
The West Midlands Regional Economic Strategy reveals a £10bn output gap between the West Midlands and the UK average. 20% of this gap is attributed to low rates of employment.
The Economic Inclusion Panel draws together organisations from across the West Midlands who can work to address worklessness and its associated issues. The economic inclusion research team here at the Observatory provide research and analysis to the panel and its members.
Our work is steered by the Economic Inclusion Data Group drawn from researchers and experts across the region. Membership of the group is open and flexible. Contact us if you would like to get involved.
Our published research is free to download and can be found under our research.
Meet the team
Helena Duignan
Senior Research Analyst
Email helena.duignan@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3253
Key contact for Birmingham and Solihull
Helena leads the economic inclusion team and is the Observatory's key contact for Birmingham and Solihull. Helena has a decade of experience in social and market research and a Masters degree in Research and Social Policy from the University of Birmingham.
Rosie Day
Research Analyst
Email rosie.day@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3286
Key contact for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Rosie analyses and interprets data to draw out key issues and policy implications to meet the data and intelligence requirements of the Observatory’s regional partners. Prior to joining the Observatory, Rosie worked at the West Midlands Cancer Intelligence Unit in the Research and Information Team. Rosie has a degree in Sociology and Social Policy from the University of Liverpool.