Sixth Annual ESDS International Conference

On Monday 29th November 2010, ESDS International held their 6th successive annual conference at the Institute of Materials in London with a theme of Global issues > Global data > Global thinking.

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The event was well attended with participants attracted by a packed programme with a strong focus on Inter-Governmental Organisation data providers and Quantitative Methods teaching. Celia Russell and Jack Kneeshaw of ESDS International introduced the day and handed over to Professor Denise Lievesley of King’s College, London who provided 'An Overview of the International Governmental Organisation Data Landscape' as the key-note presentation.

During the Data Provider Session, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD's) Angela Hariche spoke about the Global Project on Measuring the Progress of Societies. A collaboration with other Inter-Governmental Organisations, national statistical offices and many more (including ESDS International at Mimas) the Global Project aims to create a new, shared view of societal progress which doesn't rely on traditional economic growth measures which may not be a good indicator of a society's well-being.

Gareth McGuinness from the International Monetary Fund spoke about making the 'right data' available to researchers, opinion-leaders and decision-makers and so described the IMFs latest data developments - new measures of international direct and portfolio investment and the compilation of the Financial Soundness Indicators database.

Professor Richard Rose, Director of the Centre for the Study of Public Policy at the University of Aberdeen then spoke about the New Europe Barometer: Thinking Conceptually, Analyzing Empirically.

The energetic 'Meet the Researchers' lunchtime poster session showcased researchers work using international data and covered a wide range of topics such as World Electricity Cooperation, Voter Behaviour, Policy stability and Tracking Individual Behaviour across time.

During the afternoon 'Building Capacities and the Development of Statistical Literacies' session presenters, including Professor John MacInnes of the University of Edinburgh and, strategic advisor to the UK ESRC on quantitative methods teaching told of the benefits of incorporating high quality secondary data into research and ways in which lecturers can encourage UG/PG researchers to engage with secondary data sources.

Further information can be found at:

ESDS International Annual Conferences -  http://www.esds.ac.uk/international/news/conf.asp
Mimas becomes OECD Global Correspondent- http://mimas.ac.uk/news/2010/09/oecd-global-correspondent/

Slides, abstracts, audio and video clips will be made available at www.esds.ac.uk/international/news/conf2010.asp and further information about previous annual conferences including reports, programmes and conference proceedings can be found at www.esds.ac.uk/international/news/conf.asp