The UK Longitudinal Studies Centre
The UK Longitudinal Studies Centre (ULSC) is the national resource centre for promoting longitudinal research and for the design, management and support of longitudinal surveys. It was established by the ESRC as independent centre in 1999.
Together with our sister centre, the ESRC Research Centre on Micro-Social Change (MISOC), we comprise the Institute for Social & Economic Research (ISER), a department of the University of Essex
The ULSC aims to:
- Promote the use of the rich portfolio of longitudinal data sets in the UK
- Support users of those data through the provision of advice, information, training in longitudinal analysis and the provision of resources to make data easier to use
- Improve longitudinal survey methods, carry out methodological research and promote best practice in the production of high quality data for users
The UK’s unique portfolio of longitudinal studies has made a major contribution to understanding society and to advances in the social sciences. The goal of the ULSC is to ensure the collection of longitudinal data of the highest quality to meet UK social research needs and to promote its widest and most effective use.
The ULSC has built a wide portfolio of activities and services covering all aspects of longitudinal survey research.
These activities include:
- Collecting the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS)
- Design, management and collection of Understanding Society
- Providing services in the design and management of longitudinal Survey Research
- Running a Methodological Research Programme to improve longitudinal survey and analysis methods, and to disseminate results
- Promoting the application of research methods appropriate for the analysis of longitudinal survey data through provision of Training resources
- Developing Data and Research Resources to enable easier access to longitudinal data, information and advice
The critical importance of longitudinal data has been recognised by the ESRC, government and other research councils. The ULSC works with these bodies and with other UK longitudinal studies in developing a National Strategy for Longitudinal Studies, through a National Longitudinal Strategy Committee.
For further information, you might like to read the short brochure (PDF), which more fully describes the work carried out by ULSC.
ULSC is directed by Nick Buck.