Head & Heart Economics

Character and communities

How do personal characteristics influence the future?

How should policy-makers, youth workers and education institutions change what they do in response to new findings from research?

Sustaining hope within communities: what should local authorities do?

(Guardian Local Government Network, April 2013)

In tough times, the wellbeing agenda is often seen as secondary to economics. It shouldn't be. Wellbeing is essential - and so is local authority action in support.

Character counts

(Young Foundation, May 2011)

Character matters. An openness to new ideas, conscientiousness in tackling problems and an ability to get on with others are all vital to life chances. What are the implications of this for public policy?

Opening the doors to apprenticeships

(Young Foundation, July 2010)

The 'golden age' of apprenticeships in Britain is long gone. Widely held views that they are ‘blue-collar' roles of lower status than college learning are hard to change. What can be done about this?