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Now open: ESRC call for an Early Life Cohort (ELC) Feasibility Study

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The 2020s will present unprecedented challenges to children’s lives across the UK. A new longitudinal study would enable the scientific and policy insights that could improve these children’s life chances.

In response, ESRC is commissioning a Feasibility Study in the UK to develop and test approaches to participant recruitment and data collection. The results will inform the development of a full Early Life Cohort study.

The Call closes on 1 December 2020, 16:00 UK Time. Further information is available here.

The experiences encountered by people currently growing up in the UK has changed dramatically, including the ongoing impact of the 2008 Great Recession, Brexit transitions, growing in-work poverty, a changing world of work and education, the digital revolution, climate change, health and mental health, and, most recently, the pervasive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, changes to demographics in the UK means that cohorts must account for the diversity of UK’s society.

In response to these considerations, and following the recommendations of the Longitudinal Studies Strategic Review, ESRC is now commissioning an ELC Feasibility Study to test and develop approaches to recruitment, retention and data collection. This study will also collect longitudinal data for research. Its results will inform the commissioning and design for the full ELC.

Further information