Department of Social Policy and Social Work

University of Oxford

People

Robert Walker

Robert Walker
Position:
Professor of Social Policy and Deputy Head of Department
Telephone (+01865):
(2)80374
Email Address:
robert.walker@spi.ox.ac.uk

Personal Info

Robert Walker joined the Department as Professor of Social Policy in April 2006 when he also became a Fellow of what is now Green Templeton College. He was formerly Professor of Social Policy at the University Nottingham and before that Professor of Social Policy Research, Loughborough University where he was Director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy. He is a Research Affiliate of the National Poverty Centre, University of Michigan and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is a Member of the statutory UK Social Security Advisory Committee and Chair of the Academic Advisory Committee and Member of the Governing Board of the ESRC UK Household Longitudinal Study.

He is keen that high quality research should be used to inform the political process and to improve policy with the goal of enhancing all our lives. To this end, he undertakes research relevant to the development of welfare policies in Britain and other societies, and engages in dialogue with policy makers and anyone else wanting to use or support research to bring about positive change. Particular research interests include poverty, social exclusion, family dynamics and budgeting strategies, children's aspirations and employment instability and progression. Policy concerns embrace social security and social assistance, welfare to work and labour market policies, policy evaluation and policy transfer - that is the process of learning from experiences in other jurisdictions. He has published 19 books.

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Publications

  • Ferragina, E., Tomlinson, M. & Walker, R. (2011) 'Determinants of participants in the United Kingdom: A preliminary analysis' in N. Buck (ed.) Overview of Understanding Society, ISER/ESRC.
  • Tomlinson, M. and Walker, R. (2010) Recurrent Poverty: the impact of family and labour market changes, York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, ISBN 978 1 85935 731 6. http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/recurrent-poverty-impacts-full.pdf
  • Walker, R. (2010) France 2009: Measuring the impact of active inclusion and other policies of combat poverty and social exclusion: Synthesis Report, Vienna: for European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. http://www.peer-review-social-inclusion.eu/peer-reviews/2009/measuring-the-impact-of-active-inclusionhttp://www.peer-review-social-inclusion.eu.peer-reviews/2009/measuring-the-impact-of-active-inclusion
  • Walker, R. (2010) Peer Review: Measuring the impact of active inclusion and other policies to combat poverty and social exclusion, Vienna: for European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. http://www.peer-review-social-inclusion.eu/peer-reviews/2009/measuring-the-impact-of-active-inclusion
  • Walker, R. (2010) 'Evaluation research' in ISSA Social Security Research and Policy Manual: Supporting research in social security institutions in low- and middle-income countries.  Module 8.  Geneva: International Social Security Association, ISBN 978-92-843-1191-0.
  • Tomlinson, M. and Walker, R. (2010) 'Poverty, adolescent well-being and outcomes later in life', Journal of International Development, 22 (8), 1162-1182.
  • Walker, R. (2010) The Potential of Eurotargets: Reflecting on French Experience, pp.201-223 in Marlier, E., Natali, D. and Van Dam, R. (eds)  Europe 2020:  Towards a More Social EU? Brussels:  Peter Lang, ISBN 978-90-5201-688-7.
  • Walker, R. (2010) Engaging Policy Makers in Evaluation Brussels:  European Commission, DG Empl, ESF Evaluation Discussion Group, November.  http://circa.europa.eu/Members/irc/empl/esf_evaluation_discussion_group/library?l=/supporting_evaluation/2007-2013/partnership_meetings&vm=detailed&sb=Title
  • Walker, R. (2010) Evaluating Policies with Multiple Objectives, Brussels:  European Commission, DG Empl, ESF Evaulation Discussion Group, June,http://circa.europa.eu/Members/irc/empl/esf_evaluation_discussion_group/library?l=/supporting_evaluation/2007-2013/partnership_meetings&vm=detailed&sb=Title
  • Walker, R., Tomlinson, M. & Williams, G. (2010) 'The Problems with Poverty: Definition, measurement and interpretation',  in G. Walford and Tucker, E. (eds) The Sage Handbook of Measurement: How social scientists generate, modify, and validate indicators and scales. Sage Publications.
  • Tomlinson, M. and Walker, R. (2009) Coping with Complexity: Child and adult poverty, London: Child Poverty Action Group, ISBN 978 1 906076 36 8.
  • Walker, R., Tomlinson, M. and Williams, G. (2009) 'The problem with poverty: Definition, measurement and interpretation' pp. 353-376 in G. Walford and E. Tucker (eds) The Sage Handbook of Measurement: How social scientists generate, modify and validate indicators and scales, London: Sage.
  • Walker, R. (2009) The Need for Control:  Learning what ESF achieves, Brussels:  European Commission, DG Empl, ESF Evaulation Discussion Group, Novemberhttp://circa.europa.eu/Members/irc/empl/esf_evaulation_discussion_group/library?l=/supporting_evaluation/2007-2013/partnership_meetings&vm=detiled&sb=Title
  • Walker, R. (2009) Watching What Works:  the contribution of longitudinal data and analysis to policy evolution. Brussels: European Commission, DG Empl, ESF Evaluation Discussion Group, June.http://circa.europa.eu/Members/irc/empl/esf_evaluation_discussion_group/library?l=/supporting_evaluation/2007-2013/partnership_meetings&vm=detailed&sb=Title
  • Tomlinson, M., Walker, R and Williams, G. (2008) 'Measuring Poverty in Britain as a Multi-dimensional Concept, 1991 to 2003'. Journal of Social Policy, 37(4): 597-620.
  • Griggs, J., Whitworth, A., Walker, R., McLennan, D. and Noble, M. (2008) Person or place-based policies to tackle disadvantage? Not knowing what works. York: York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, ISBN: 978 1 85935 630 2.
  • Walker, R., Hoggart, L., and Hamilton, G. (2008) Random Assignment and Informed Consent: A Case Study of Multiple Perspectives. American Journal of Evaluation. Vol 29 (2): 156-174. DOI: 10.1177/1098214008317206
  • Walker, R. and Pelissery, S. (2008) Giants Old and New: Promoting Social Security and Economic Growth in the Asia and Pacific Region. International Social Security Review. 61 (2): 81-103. DOI:10.1111/j.1468-246X.2008.00311.x
  • Walker, R.  (2008) European and American Welfare Values: Case-studies in cash benefits reform,  pp. 117-140 in W. van Oorschot, M. Opielka and B. Pfau-Effinger (eds) Culture and Welfare State Values of Social Policy from a Comparative Perspective, London: Edward Elgar.
  • Griggs, J and Walker, R. (2008) The costs of child poverty for individuals and society: a literature review. 
    York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
  • Walker, R., Hoggart, L and Hamilton, G. (2008) 'Observing the Implementation of a Social Experiment', Evidence and Policy, 4(3): 183-203.
  • Tomlinson, M., Walker, R. and Williams, G. (2008) 'Child poverty and well-being in the here and now' Poverty, 128: 11-14.
  • Walker, R. (2008) 'Mixed methods research: Quality plus quality.' pp 276-282 in J. Neale (ed.).  Research Methods for Health and Social Care, Houdmills: Palgrave.
  • Walker, R. (2008) 'Understanding Our Future' pp 25. in R. Berthoud and J. Burton (eds.)  In Praise of Panel Surveys, Colchester: Institute for Social and Economic Research and ESRC.
  • Pellissery, S,. & Walker, R. (2007) 'Social Security Options for Informal Sector Workers: Emergent economies and the Asia and Pacific region'. Social Policy and Administration, 41, 4, 401-409.
  • Walker, R. (2007) ‘Entropy and the Evaluation of Labour Market Interventions’ Evaluation, 13(2): 193-219.
  • Walker, R. & Duncan. S. (2007) Knowing What Works: Policy evaluation in central government. in H. Bochel & S. Duncan (eds.) Making Policy in Theory and Practice, Bristol, Policy Press,  pp. 169-190.
  • Walker, R. & Pelissery, S (2007) 'Giants old and new: Promoting social security and economic growth in the Asia and Pacific Region' in ISSA Social Security: Global challenges and regional responses, Manila: International Social Security Association, pp. 21-52 .
  • Walker, R., Hoggart, L & Hamilton, G with Blank, S. (2006) Making Random Assignment Happen: Evidence from the UK Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) demonstration London: Department of Work and Pensions, Research Report No. 330, ISBN 1 84123 981 X
  • Griggs, J & Walker, R (2006) Tax Credits: Coping with change? Benefits, 14, 1, 11-18
  • Griggs, J., and Walker, R. (2006) 'Tax credits: coping with change?' Benefits, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 11-17.
  • Walker, R (2005) Social Security and Welfare: Concepts and comparisons Milton Keynes: Open University Press/McGraw-Hill, pp 354, ISBN 0335 20934 3 and 0 335 20935 1
  • Cebulla, A., Ashworth, K., Greenberg, D & Walker, R (2005) Welfare to Work: New Labour and the US experience Aldershot: Ashgate, pp 169, ISBN 0 7546 3775 1
  • Griggs, J., McAllister, F & Walker, R. (2005) The New Tax Credits System. Knowledge and awareness among recipients. London: National Council for One Parent Families, ISBN 1 85199 227 8
  • Hart, S. with Walker, R (2005) Social Protection in Jersey: a comparative study St Hellier: Employment and Social Security Department, States of Jersey
  • Ashworth, K., Cebulla, A., Davis, A., Greenberg, D & Walker, R (2005) When Welfare-To-Work Programs Work Well: Explaining why Riverside and Portland shine so brightly Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 59, 1, 34-49
  • Such, E., Walker, O & Walker, R (2005) Anti-War Children: Representation of youth protests against the Second Iraq War in the British national press Childhood, 12, 3, 301-326
  • Greenberg, D., Robins, P & Walker, R (2005) Conducting Meta-Analyses of Evaluations of Government-Funded Training Programs Review of Policy Research 22, 3, 345-367
  • Such, E & Walker, R (2005) Young citizens or policy objects? Children in the "rights and responsibilities" debate Journal of Social Policy, 34, 1, 39-57
  • Walker, R (2005) Opportunity and life chances: the dynamics of poverty, inequality and exclusion In P. Diamond & A. Giddens (eds.) The New Egalitarianism, London: Polity Press, pp 69-85
  • Griggs, J., McAllister, F. and Walker, R. (2005) The New Tax Credits System: Knowledge and awareness among recipients, London: One Parent Families. 
  • Greenberg, D., Ashworth, K., Cebulla, A., & Walker, R (2004) Do Welfare-To-Work Programmes Work For Long? Fiscal Studies, 25, 1, 27-53
  • Ashworth, K., Cebulla, A., Greenberg, D & Walker, R (2004) Meta-Evaluation: Discovering what works best in welfare provision Evaluation, 10, 2, 193-216
  • Walker, R (2004) Evaluation: Evidence for Public Policy <Evaluating Policies for Local Economic and Employment Development</em> Paris: OECD, pp 63-111
  • Walker, R & Wiseman, M., (eds.) (2003) The Welfare We Want: The British challenge for American reform Bristol: Policy Press, pp 201, ISBN 1 86134 407 4
  • Walker, R (2003) Determining Children's Life Chances: Methodological challenges and strategies London: Department for Work and Pensions: Working Paper, 12, ISBN 1 843888 222 1
  • Walker, R & Leisering, L (2003) Verso una scienza sociale dinamica Sociologia e politica sociale, 6, 2, 51-72 (Special Issue: La povertà oscillante)
  • Walker, R, Greenberg, D., Ashworth, K & Cebulla, A (2003) Successful welfare-to-work programs: Were Riverside and Portland really that good? Focus, Journal of the Institute for Research on Poverty, University of Admison-Wisconsin, 22, 3, 1-8
  • Such, E & Walker, R (2003) Being responsible and responsible beings: children's understanding of responsibility Children and Society, 17, 4, 1-12
  • Walker, R & Wiseman, M (2003) Reforming US welfare again and again Social Policy and Society, 2, 2, 109-112
  • Walker, R (2003) Some useful sources on US policy reform Social Policy and Society, 2, 2, 117-18
  • Walker, R, & Wiseman, M (2003) Leaving it be: The 2002 US debate on welfare reform Social Policy and Society, 2, 2, 161-170
  • Walker, R (2003) Employment, support and security: Balancing the needs of disabled people New Economy, 10, 1, 50-55
  • Walker, R Wiseman, M (2003) Making welfare work: UK activation policies under New Labour International Social Security Review, 56, 1, 3-29
  • Walker, R (2003) Applied qualitative research In M. Lewis-Beck, A. Bryman & T. Futing Liao (eds.) Encyclopaedia of Research Methods for the Social Sciences, Thousand Oaks: Sage
  • Walker, R & Collins, C (2003) 'Families of the Poor' In J. Scott, J. Treas & M. Richards (eds.) Blackwell Companion on the Sociology of the Family, Malden: Blackwell publishers Inc.
  • Rafferty, A & Walker, R (2003) Lone mothers are women first, paid workers third - Targeting employment In D. Thurley (ed.) Working to Target: Can policies deliver paid work for seven in ten lone parents, London: National Council for One Parent Families, pp 34-41
  • Such, R & Walker, R (2003) Ready for a role Zero-2-Nineteen February, 6-7
  • Walker, R (2002) Work after welfare, employment after benefits Benefits, 10, 2, 83-5, commissioning editorial
  • Such, E & Walker, R (2002) Falling behind? Research on transmitted deprivation Benefits, 35 Vol.10, 3, 185-192
  • Walker, R, Wiseman, M (2002) Refreshing reform: Ideas from British welfare strategy Journal of the Institute for Research on Poverty, University of Madison-Wisconsin, 22, 1, 124-8
  • Lessof, C., Becher, H., Corden, A., Green, A., Hales, J., Legard, R., Lewis, J., Loumidis, J., Purdon, S., Sainsbury, R., Stafford, B., Thornton, P., & Walker, R (2001) Evaluation of the New Deal for Disabled People Personal Adviser Pilot: Technical Report London: Department for Work and Pensions: In-house Research Report, 89, ISBN 1 85197 963 8
  • Loumidis, J., Stafford, B., Youngs, R., Green, A., Arthur, S., Legard, R., Lessof, C., Lewis, J., Walker, R, Corden, A., Thornton, P & Sainsbury, R (2001) Evaluation of the New Deal for Disabled People Personal Advisor Pilot London: Department of Social Security, Research Report, 144, ISBN 1 84123 354 4
  • Cebulla, A., Heinelt, H., & Walker, R (2001) Unemployment and the Insurance Compensation Principle in Britain and Germany London: Anglo-German Society, ISBN 1-900834-26-x
  • Walker R., & Kellard, K (2001) Staying in Work: Policy Overview Sheffield: Department for Education and Employment, Research Report 265, ISBN 1 84185 489 1
  • Walker, R, Wiseman, M (2001) The House that Jack Built: The story of British welfare reform The Milken Institute Review, 4th Quarter, 52-62
  • Walker, R (2001) Great Expectations: Can Social Science Evaluate New Labour's Policies? Evaluation, 7, 3, 305-330
  • Walker, R (2001) Can Work Work? A Preliminary Assessment of the 'Welfare to Work' Strategy Zeitschrift fuer Sozialreform, 47, 3, 437-463
  • Trickey, H & Walker, R"An Offer You Can't Refuse": Workfare in an international perspective, Bristol: Policy Press, pp 181-214
  • Walker, R, & Kellard, K (2001) 'Staying in work: A New policy agenda' In K. Kellard (ed.) Lone Parents and Sustainable Employment, Loughborough: Centre for Research in Social Policy, 436 ISBN 0 946 831 26, 2, pp 7-33
  • Kellard, K, Walker, R, Ashworth, K., Howard, M & Liu, W. C. (2001) Staying in Work: Thinking about a New Policy Agenda Sheffield: Department for Education and Employment, Research Report 264, ISBN 1 84185 490 5
  • Bennett, F. & Walker, R. (1998) Working with Work: An Initial Assessment of Welfare to Work, York: York Publishing Services Limited for Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

  • This page was last updated on 13/12/2009 at 19:42

Department of Social Policy and Social Work
Barnett House, 32 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2ER, UK
Tel: +44 1865 270325. Fax: +44 1865 270324.