Dr Damian Whittard

• Qualifications:BA (hons), PG(Cert), MSc, FHEA, DPhil
• Position:Associate Professor - Economics
• Department:FBL - Accounting, Economics and Finance
• Telephone:+441173287140
• Email:Damian2.Whittard@uwe.ac.uk

About me

Damian Whittard is an Associate Professor in Economics at UWE's Bristol Business School, where he also leads the Wage and Employment Dynamics (WED) Programme and UWE's contribution to the Brunel Centre. Working with partners from the University of Bath and Futures West, the Brunel Centre is delivering a multi-million-pound Research England investment to create a regional economic observatory for the West of England.

Damian is a member of the Data Research, Access and Governance Network Research Group (DRAGoN) and his research sits at the intersection of labour economics, sustainability, regional economics and data innovation. He is an ADR UK Research Fellow examining green jobs through linked administrative datasets. His work explores how employment in green sectors compares to traditional roles in terms of pay, mobility, and equity—particularly within the context of the UK ‘s shift to a more sustainable economy.

Damian has published widely on topics including low-wage labour markets, student working and low-pay transitions. His contributions include technical work on evaluating survey methodologies and national statistical frameworks, as well as more conceptual outputs, such as applying the Five Safes framework to better understand the value of data governance. His earlier academic work focused on educational assessment, where he co-developed a multidimensional model of the One-Minute Paper, a formative teaching tool used in higher education.

Beyond his academic outputs, Damian actively engages with the wider research and policy community. He has presented his work at various forums including the IMF, OECD, Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE), and the Office for National Statistics. Damian also regularly contributes to public engagement events, including the Festival of Flourishing Regions and Pint of Science. His commitment to data accessibility, inclusive labour market analysis, and regional economics continues to shape both his teaching and research, helping equip students, policymakers, and academics with the tools to better understand and respond to the evolving nature of work.

Area of expertise

Teaching and learning, national accounts; balance of payments; well-being; regional economics; low pay; evidence-based policy making; quality and interpretation of government data. I am also a qualified Prince2 Project Manager.

Publications

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