WIREDGOV

We are delighted to announce that Cohort and Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources (CLOSER) has received a two year funding extension to continue its activities through until September 2019. This will enable CLOSER to take account of the emerging recommendations from the ESRC’s Strategic Review of Longitudinal Studies.

Interim ESRC Chief Executive, Professor Tony McEnery, said:

"We are uniquely privileged in Britain to have a superb portfolio of longitudinal studies. We are also fortunate to have CLOSER to help ensure these studies are used in the best way. CLOSER is an important investment for ESRC and we are delighted to award this extension so that CLOSER can continue its valuable work."

CLOSER's Director, Professor Alison Park, said:

"I am delighted that CLOSER has been awarded a two-year extension to its funding. The UK is home to the largest and longest-running longitudinal studies in the world and CLOSER plays a vital role in maximising their use, value and impact. Our focus for the next two years will be to build on the work we have already done to encourage cross-cohort analysis and data discoverability, the latter via our flagship resource, CLOSER Discovery. The extension also allows us to continue our training programme in order to build capacity for the next generation of researchers, and to promote the ways in which high quality research can inform policy."

The UK has a portfolio of the longest-running longitudinal studies in the world. These studies are well-recognised as one of the most crucial sources of evidence for policy development in health, economics and society. There are a number of different academic institutions running longitudinal studies in the UK. CLOSER brings these teams together to:

• stimulate interdisciplinary research across the major longitudinal studies
• provide shared resources for research
• assist with training and development for researchers in the use of longitudinal data at all career stages
• share information and expertise in longitudinal methodology.

ESRC Press Office

Mark Gardner

Press Manager
Email: mark.gardner@esrc.ac.uk
Telephone: 01793 413122