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Dr Matt Barnes

Senior Lecturer in Sociology

School of Arts and Social Sciences Department of Sociology

Contact details

Address

Dr Matt Barnes D604, Rhind Building
City, University of London
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom

About

Overview

Dr Matt Barnes joined the Sociology Department at City University London in August 2014. He is a member of City's Q-Step Centre and has responsibility for expanding the accessibility and use of quantitative data.

Matt previously worked at NatCen Social Research, and has also worked in government and academia. He specialises in the secondary analysis of complex survey data and his research focuses on poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion.

Previous Employment

Research Director, NatCen Social Research, London
Analyst (part-time secondment), Social Exclusion Task Force, Cabinet Office, London
Senior Researcher, NatCen Social Research, London
Research Officer/Part-time lecturer, Department of Social & Policy Sciences, University of Bath
Research Assistant, Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University

Qualifications

  1. PhD in Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath, United Kingdom
  2. MSc in Social Statistics, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
  3. BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Sociology, Plymouth University, United Kingdom

Research

Research interests

Matt's research focuses on poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion in the UK. He is also interested in working patterns and work-life balance issues.

Current research grants

£4,943, City University of London, Understanding family life in the school holidays: Preliminary analysis
£34,440, Independent Age, Pictures of life in older age, analysis of Understanding Society survey
£15,000, Department for Education, Child wellbeing and disadvantage: analysis of Understanding Society survey linked to the National Pupil Database
£9,000, Independent Age, Poverty amongst the oldest old: analysis of the Family Resources Survey
£10,000, British Academy, The trouble with troubled families: analysis of a range of survey datasets including the Crime Survey for England and Wales, Understanding Society, and the Families and Children Survey
£5,000, City University of London, Holiday hunger: analysis of the Living Costs and Food Survey
£25,000, Scottish Government, Poverty typologies for Scotland: Analysis of the Scottish Household Survey

Datasets

Matt has analysed a wide range of social survey datasets in his research, including:

- Understanding Society
- British Household Panel Survey
- Family Resources Survey
- Wealth and Assets Survey
- Labour Force Survey
- European Community Household Panel survey
- Families and Children Study
- British Social Attitudes survey
- UK Time Use Survey
- English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
- Longitudinal Study of Young People in England
- English Housing Survey
- Health Survey for England
- Scottish Household Survey
- Growing Up in Scotland Survey

PhD supervision

Dr Barnes would be interested in supervising PhDs in any of his specialist areas and welcomes informal enquiries from potential doctoral students. He is particularly interested in students who wish to undertake statistical analysis of existing large-scale social surveys.

Publications

Publications by category

Books (2)

  1. Barnes, M. (2005). Social exclusion in Great Britain: An empirical investigation and comparison with other European Union member states. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84920-387-6.
  2. Barnes, M., Heady, C., Millar, J., Middleton, S., Tsakloglou, P. and Room, G. (2002). Poverty and Social Exclusion in Europe. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Pub. ISBN 978-1-84064-375-6.

Chapters (2)

  1. Barnes, M. and Tomaszewski, W. (2010). Do we expect lone parents to look after themselves? British Social Attitudes 26th Report London: Sage Publications Ltd.
  2. Barnes, M., Millar, J. and Middleton, S. (2003). Analysing poverty and social exclusion. In Millar, J. and Aspori, A. (Eds.), The dynamics of social exclusion in Europe: comparing Austria, Germany, Greece, Portugal and the UK Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. ISBN 978-1-84064-893-5.

Journal articles (3)

  1. Barnes, M. and Ross, A. (2021). The Problems with Troubled Families: Rethinking the Analysis Behind the 120,000 Troubled Families Statistic. Social Policy and Society pp. 1–19. doi:10.1017/s1474746421000725.
  2. JIVRAJ, S., NAZROO, J. and BARNES, M. (2016). Short- and long-term determinants of social detachment in later life. Ageing and Society, 36(5), pp. 924–945. doi:10.1017/s0144686x14001561.
  3. Barnes, M., Butt, S. and Tomaszewski, W. (2011). The Duration of Bad Housing and Children's Well-being in Britain. Housing Studies, 26(1), pp. 155–176. doi:10.1080/02673037.2010.512749.

Reports (36)

  1. Barnes, M., Ndebele, N. and Harrison, E. (2020). Pictures of life in older age: a quantitative analysis of the lived experience of ageing using the Understanding Society survey..
  2. Barnes, M., Stares, S., Wood, C., Vibert, S. and Lord, C. (2017). Poverty in Perspective: A typology of poverty in Scotland. Edinburgh: The Scottish Government. ISBN 978-1-78652-873-5.
  3. Barnes, M. and Harrison, E. (2017). The wellbeing of secondary school pupils with special educational needs.. ISBN 978-1-78105-789-6.
  4. Barnes, M., Lord, C. and Chanfreau, J. (2015). Child poverty transitions: exploring the routes into and out of poverty 2009 to 2012.. ISBN 978-1-910219-75-1.
  5. Barnes, M. and McKnight, A. (2014). Understanding the behaviours of households in fuel poverty: A review of research evidence. London.
  6. Barnes, M. and Lord, C. (2014). Child Poverty Transitions – early findings report. London.
  7. Barnes, M. and Lord, C. (2013). Poverty, economic status and skills: What are the links? York.
  8. Barnes, M., Cullinane, C., Scott, S. and Silvester, S. (2013). People living in bad housing: Numbers and health impacts. London.
  9. Lord, C., Lloyd, J. and Barnes, M. (2013). Understanding Landlords: A study of private landlords in the UK using the Wealth and Assets Survey. London.
  10. Wood, C., Salter, J., Morrell, G., Barnes, M., Paget, A. and O’Leary, D. (2012). Poverty in Perspective. London.
  11. Barnes, M., Brown, V., Parsons, S., Ross, A., Schoon, I. and Vignoles, A. (2012). Intergenerational transmission of worklessness: Evidence from the Millennium Cohort and the Longitudinal Study of Young People In England. London.
  12. Barnes, M. (2012). Poverty in Later Life. London.
  13. Barnes, M. and Lord, C. (2012). Multiple disadvantage in Scotland. London.
  14. Barnes, M., Bazalgette, L. and Lord, C. (2012). A wider lens. London.
  15. Lord, C., Barnes, M. and Toomse, M. (2012). Exploring the dynamics of tax credits renewal behaviour. London.
  16. Barnes, M., Green, R. and Ross, A. (2011). Understanding vulnerable young people: Analysis from the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England. London.
  17. Chanfreau, J., Barnes, M., Tomaszewski, W., Philo, D., Hall, J. and Tipping, S. (2011). Growing up in Scotland: Changes in early childhood and the impact of significant events. Edinburgh.
  18. Tomaszewski, W., Chanfreau, J. and Barnes, M. (2010). Lone parents and employment: an exploration of findings from the Families and Children Study 2006-08. Leeds.
  19. Barnes, M., Chanfreau, J. and Tomaszewski, W. (2010). The circumstances of persistently poor Scottish children. Edinburgh.
  20. Barnes, M., Tomaszewski, W., Mansour, A. and Oroyemi, P. (2009). The social impacts of recession..
  21. Oroyemi, P., Crosier, T., Damioli, G. and Barnes, M. (2009). Understanding multidimensional disadvantage among families with children..
  22. Barnes, M. and Tomaszewski, W. (2008). Investigating the dynamics of social detachment in older age. London.
  23. Barnes, M., Butt, S. and Tomaszewski, W. (2008). The Dynamics of Bad Housing and Impacts for Children. London.
  24. Barnes, M., Lyon, N. and Millar, J. (2008). Employment transitions and the changes in economic circumstances of families with children: Evidence from the Families and Children Study (FACS). Leeds: Corporate Document Services.
  25. Barnes, M., Connoly, A. and Tomaszewski, W. (2008). The circumstances of persistently poor families with children: Evidence from the Families and Children Study (FACS). Leeds: Corporate Document Services.
  26. Barnes, M., Blom, A., Cox, K., Lessof, C. and Walker, A. (2006). The Social Exclusion of Older People: Evidence from the first wave of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). London.
  27. Walker, A., Barnes, M., Blom, A., Cox, K. and Lessof, C. (2006). Social Exclusion of Older People: Future Trends and Policies. London.
  28. Barnes, M., Bryson, C. and Smith, R. (2006). Family life and atypical work: Evidence from the 2000 UK Time Use Survey. London.
  29. Lyon, N., Barnes, M. and Swiery, D. (2006). Family Life in Britain: Findings from the 2004 Families and Children Study (FACS). Corporate Document Services.
  30. Barnes, M. (2005). Use of childcare amongst families with children who have Special Educational Needs. London.
  31. Bell, A., Bryson, C., Barnes, M. and O’Shea, R. (2005). Use of childcare among ethnic minority groups. London.
  32. Barnes, M., Lyon, N., Morris, S., Robinson, V. and Yau, Y. (2005). Family Life in Britain: Findings from the 2003 Families and Children Study (FACS). Leeds: Corporate Document Services.
  33. Barnes, M. and Bryson, C. (2004). Keep time for children: The incidence of weekend working. London.
  34. Humphrey, A., Costigan, P., Pickering, K., Stratford, N. and Barnes, M. (2003). Factors affecting the labour market participation of older workers. Huddersfield: The Charlesworth Group.
  35. Hales, J., Lessof, C., Roth, W., Gloyer, M., Shaw, A., Millar, J. … Green, A. (2000). Evaluation of the New Deal for Lone Parents: Early lessons from the phase one prototype - Synthesis Report. Huddersfield: The Charlesworth Group.
  36. Barnes, M., Jivraj, S. and Nazroo, J. Change in social detachment in older age in England. London.

Working paper

  1. Barnes, M., Ndebele, N. and Harrison, E. (2020). The job quality of key worker employees: Analysis of the Labour Force Survey. London: City, University of London.

Professional activities

Editorial activity

  1. Reviewer, ESRC Peer Review College.

Keynote lectures/speeches (26)

  1. Poverty and social exclusion: current issues for older people - a UK perspective. Brussels (2013). Launch of AGE Manifesto for the 2014 European elections, European Parliament
  2. Poverty in Perspective. Newcastle (2013). Session on Measuring Child Poverty, Royal Statistical Society International Conference, University of Newcastle
  3. Poverty in Perspective. Colchester (2013). Understanding Society Research Conference, University of Essex
  4. Understanding landlords. London (2013). Understanding Landlords project launch, Strategic Society Centre
  5. In work and moving on up: how to support progression in work to combat household poverty. Manchester (2013). Joseph Rowntree Foundation Sponsors Seminar, Welfare to Work UK 2013 Convention
  6. Intergenerational transmission of worklessness. London (2013). International Centre for Lifecourse Studies (ICLS) Policy Seminar, UCL
  7. Vulnerable young people. Colchester (2012). Understanding Society Research Conference, University of Essex
  8. Time use patterns of atypical workers. Oxford (2011). International Association of Time Use Research conference, University of Oxford
  9. Understanding families with multiple disadvantages. London (2011). British Sociological Association annual conference
  10. Changes in early childhood and the impact of significant events. Glasgow (2011). Growing Up in Scotland sweep 5 launch conference
  11. Social impacts of the recession. London (2011). International Centre for Longitudinal Studies policy seminar
  12. Developing a multi-dimensional measure of poverty. London (2010). Demos roundtable on poverty measurement
  13. Unpacking multidimensional disadvantage among families with children – focus on worklessness. London (2010). Department for Work and Pensions lunchtime seminar
  14. The circumstances of persistently poor children in Scotland. Edinburgh (2010). Growing Up in Scotland Seminar, Edinburgh University
  15. The circumstances of persistently poor children in Scotland. Edinburgh (2010). Conference to Launch Growing Up in Scotland Sweep 5
  16. Understanding the participation time of atypical workers. Glasgow (2010). British Sociological Association annual conference
  17. Social exclusion among families with children. London (2010). CASE Social Exclusion Seminar, LSE
  18. Using ELSA to measure social exclusion in older age. London (2010). Communities and Local Government research seminar
  19. Going beyond questions and answers: Making time use explicit in a study of social exclusion. London (2009). NatCen/LSE annual conference
  20. The living standards of children in bad housing. London (2008). Department for Work and Pensions lunchtime seminar
  21. Family, work and poverty. London (2008). Working families conference
  22. The dynamics of bad housing and impacts for children. London (2007). Shelter seminar
  23. Understanding social exclusion in older age. Birmingham (2006). Social Policy Association annual conference
  24. Understanding social exclusion in older age. London (2006). Royal Statistical Society seminar
  25. Family time and atypical work in the UK. Halifax, Canada (2005). International Association of Time Use Research annual conference
  26. Family time and atypical work in the UK. Edinburgh (2004). Work-Life Balance Across the Lifecourse conference, Centre for Research on Families and Relationships

Media appearances (2)

  1. Poverty in Perspective. Poverty in Perspective, Understanding Society website
  2. Poverty in Perspective methodology. Demos Poverty in Perspective website
    http://www.demos.co.uk/poverty/methodology

Online articles (8)

  1. An army of benefit scroungers? The evidence just doesn’t stack up. (2012). The Guardian An army of benefit scroungers? The evidence just doesn’t stack up
  2. October 2013, UK wealth gap grows as homeowners save more but renters suffer, The Financial Times. (2013). The Financial Times UK wealth gap grows as homeowners save more but renters suffer
  3. Multiple disadvantage in Scotland. (2012). BBC News Multiple disadvantage in Scotland
  4. The other side of the coin – the impact of the recession on our feelings of financial insecurity. (2013). Blog The other side of the coin – the impact of the recession on our feelings of financial insecurity
  5. Income is not the only measure of poverty. (2013). Blog Income is not the only measure of poverty
  6. Unpacking severe disadvantage. (2012). Blog Unpacking severe disadvantage
  7. Who can really help socially isolated older people? (2012). Blog Who can really help socially isolated older people?
  8. A new way of understanding poverty. (2012). Blog A new way of understanding poverty

Television programme

  1. BBC Sunday Morning Live. BBC One Discussing the derivation of the 120,000 ‘troubled families’ figure