welcome > media

Title	Date	News
University launches spin-out from SDRC	Monday 20 October, 2003	Oxford University's latest spin-out company, Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI), aims to help local government tackle social exclusion. Expert analysis will facilitate the tasks of identifying deprived neighbourhoods, targeting resources, evaluating programme effectiveness, and strengthening regeneration bids. It is Oxford's first ever spin-out from the social sciences. OCSI?s consultancy is based on nearly two decades of ground-breaking research, initiated by Michael Noble and George Smith at the SDRC [more info ?]
New Reader in the Department	Tuesday 1 October, 2002	In the annual university 'Recognition of Distinction' exercise, the title of Reader in Social Policy was conferred on George Smith.
New report on area patterns of disadvantage published by the Policy Press.	Wednesday 22 May, 2002	The Joseph Rowntree Foundation commissioned this research study to bring up to date an earlier report for the Social Exclusion Unit in 2001 also prepared by a research team from the SDRC led by Michael Noble. The report Growing Together or Growing Apart? draws on national benefits derived data to examine changes between 1995 and 2000 across the whole of England, at district and local ward level. The JRF findings for this study are available from the JRF website.
Report Of Committee Of Inquiry Into Comprehensive Social Security Reform in South Africa (the South African ?Beveridge Report?) acknowledges department?s contribution to their discussions.	Thursday 2 May, 2002	The Committee of Inquiry into Comprehensive Social Security, established by the South African Government Department of Social Development, has now released its report for public discussion. The full report is available. The Department?s role (led by Michael Noble) in the deliberations of the Committee is acknowledged. The Committee spent time in Oxford in December 2000 discussing lessons from the UK experience of poverty alleviation through social security with key UK experts including several from the Department.
New measures of deprivation for Northern Ireland launched.	Thursday 5 July, 2001	The Minister of Finance and Personnel for Northern Ireland, Mark Durcan, launched the new 'measures of deprivation' for every ward in Northern Ireland. These were developed by a team based at the Social Disadvantage Research Centre (SDRC), led by Michael Noble at the Department with assistance from Queen's University, Belfast. The Minister said: " These are very important findings which will now be used to target our resources.. in areas of greatest need. This piece of research will influence and inform policies and programmes across government and beyond, in the immediate and medium term future." The results were also released at the same time on the new web-based GIS system set up by NISRA allowing data on every ward in Northern Ireland to be accessed. Copies of the final report and deprivation maps are now published by NISRA, Belfast. [more info ?]
ONS launches 'neighbourhood statistics'.	Monday 26 February, 2001	The Office for National Statistics has launched its new 'Neighbourhood Statistics' initiative, which it describes as a 'revolutionary new Internet based service'. A substantial part of the data for this new service was provided by the Social Disadvantage Research Group, including the mid year Population Estimates at local ward level. These can be downloaded from the ONS website Neighbourhood Statistics.
Reader in Social Policy honoured	Saturday 30 December, 2000	Michael Noble was awarded the OBE for services to research on poverty and deprivation in the New Year Honours.
Final Report on Indices of Deprivation published by DETR	Saturday 23 December, 2000	The DETR published the final report of this study Measuring Multiple Deprivation at the Small Area Level: Indices of Deprivation, 2000. This sets out in full the index development and methodology and the results by region. It also compares the results with the previous 1998 index.
Two New Readers in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work	Wednesday 27 September, 2000	In the annual university 'Recognition of Distinction' exercise the title of Reader was conferred on Michael Noble (Reader in Social Policy).
New Deprivation Index for Wales Published by National Assembly for Wales	Wednesday 23 August, 2000	The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation was published by the Welsh Assembly. This has been prepared by the SDRG research team at the Department of Social Policy and Social Work. The Finance Secretary to the Assembly, Edwina Hart, described the new index as 'a significant step forward in our efforts to identify the areas of greatest need in Wales and to target resources effectively.' The report Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation: 2000 Edition is published by the National Assembly for Wales in English and Welsh, price ?10. See also the Statistics Wales website.
National Index of Multiple Deprivation 2000, released by DETR	Tuesday 22 August, 2000	The Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions released the final version of the IMD2000. This index was compiled by the SDRG research team, led by Michael Noble, at the Department of Social Policy and Social Work. It is based on 33 items of data for all 8414 wards in England. The DETR press release describes it as 'the most detailed analysis of deprivation in England ever seen, showing a complex picture across all regions. This updated and comprehensive information will help target policies and funding more effectively to needy areas. John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, said: "These indices are a major step forward in understanding the very complex nature of deprivation throughout the country. They will be a vital tool in helping the Government tackle social exclusion?'. Further information and data are available from the national DETR website .
New Review of the Geographical Distribution of Deprivation in Northern Ireland	Friday 30 June, 2000	A research team in the Department's Social Disadvantage Research Group (SDRG) has won a research contract to review and revise the Index of Deprivation for Northern Ireland. This research has been commissioned by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). This research project complements the studies already undertaken to revise the very similar Indices of Deprivation for England and separately for Wales.
Discussion on Welfare Reform	Wednesday 8 March, 2000	Meeting with CPAG: "Welfare Reform - the Story So Far" Michael Noble, Fran Bennett, Chair: Teresa Smith. Barnett House. Wednesday 8th March 7 p.m.
New Study of Social Deprivation in Wales	Wednesday 1 September, 1999	A research team in the Department's Social Disadvantage Research Group (SDRG) has won a research contract to review and revise the Index of Deprivation for Wales. This was one of the first research contracts struck by the new Assembly for Wales. This research project complements the major study already being undertaken to revise the similar Index of Deprivation for England.
New Department Name	Friday 6 August, 1999	The title of the department (previously the Department of Applied Social Studies and Social Research) becomes the Department of Social Policy and Social Work in the University of Oxford. At the same time a separate Department of Sociology, based in George St, came into existence. The new Department of Social Policy and Social Work retains its interdisciplinary nature.