Professor Peter Dolton

A University of Sussex academic has been shortlisted for his innovative use of data for the public good.

Peter Dolton, Professor of Economics at the University of Sussex Business School, has been nominated for the People’s Choice Award at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Research Excellence Awards 2019.

Professor Dolton is being recognised for his research paper Total Reward and Pension Evaluation by Occupation in the Public Sector which focusses on how major reforms to public sector pensions will financially impact workers in different roles.

The research simulates the pension wealth accumulated over the lifecycle for a representative employee in a number of specific public sector occupations including doctors, nurses, teachers, prison officers, police officers and firefighters.

Prof Dolton now needs the support of friends, colleagues and supporters to vote for his nomination ahead of the award ceremony next month.

He said: “Over the last 10 years there have been substantive changes in the public sector with employees’ defined benefit (DB) pensions being switched from final salary (FS) schemes to Career Average Earnings (CARE) schemes.

“Despite the enormity of this change, very little is discussed publicly about this issue and the implications are understood by a very small minority of the people affected.

“I hope my research will help put this pension revolution in clear financial terms and help raise wider awareness for the public sector workers who will be affected by this. It’s a great honour to be nominated for this award that recognises the use of data for public benefit.”

Each year, around 400 projects are granted approval to access the secure data ONS manage for statistical research.

The ONS Research Excellence Award 2019 recognises the very best of this research, celebrating outstanding innovative research carried out using the department’s data to deliver a public benefit to the UK, whilst protecting data confidentiality.

Twenty-one projects have been nominated for this year’s award. Organisers say all nominee projects have played a key part in analysing business, industry and trade, employment, population and economy and have the potential to influence national and international policy.

The winner will be announced at the ONS Data Capability Event 2019 held at Central Hall Westminster in London on Thursday 17 October 2019.

To vote visit here and choose project 19 before the vote closes tomorrow [Friday October 4].