GeoDem: Geodemographics and Geo-Genealogy
We are very active in the development and application of small area indicators of social and economic conditions, a field known as geodemographics. There are a number of strands to this research.
A recent ESRC research project investigated the distribution of surnames in Great Britain, both current and historic, in order to understand patterns of regional economic development, population movement and cultural identity. A website allows users to search the databases that we have created, and to trace the geography and history of their family names. Current research is seeking to internationalise this work.
A second ESRC project has sought to develop a Great Britain wide classification of households’ engagement with new information and communication technologies, motivated by the notion that it is no longer tenable to think of the impacts of such technologies in terms of a single, or even small number of, 'digital divides'. A Website makes it possible for academic users to investigate the wide-ranging but differentiated impacts of technologies upon information gathering, citizen participation and consumer transactions.
More generally, CASA research is focusing upon the ways in which geodemographic indicators may be developed and used in order to improve public service delivery in application areas such as police, health and education. Health applications, in particular, are the focus of Knowledge Transfer Partnership activity with Southwark and Camden Primary Care Trusts.
People
- David Ashby
- Maurizio Gibin
- Kate Jones
- Paul Longley
- Pablo Mateos
- Jakob Petersen
- Alex Singleton
Key facts
- Short Title: GeoDem
- Sponsored by: ESRC, Camden PCT and Southwark PCT
- Start date: 01/01/2002
- End date: 31/12/2010