Research at DWP
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-07)

Our research is used to understand, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate our policies and services.

We carry out objective, reliable, timely and relevant social research, using the full range of qualitative and quantitative methods. Our analysts work flexibly in multi-disciplinary teams across the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). They work within policy teams and wider analytical teams to develop our evidence base and provide analysis that supports our policies and projects.

To make transparent our evidence needs, in 2023 we published DWP Areas of Research Interest (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-areas-of-research-interest-2023/dwp-areas-of-research-interest-2023) which summarises the most important research questions we face over the next 5 to 10 years. The publication raises awareness and creates a platform for increased engagement and collaboration with external research communities.

Links with the research community

The DWP Areas of Research Interest publication demonstrates our commitment to working across research communities. We keep in touch with other researchers working on pensions, disability and employment. We also maintain close links with other funding bodies, including the Economic and Social Research Council and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation who are the other main funders of social security research.

We have good working relations with the major independent research organisations and the academic research community. Our researchers are part of the Government Social Research Service (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-government-social-research-profession). Our social researchers work collaboratively with colleagues across DWP, and externally, to ensure evidence and research are embedded in the recommendations for future policy and delivery options.

We collaborate externally by:
- liaising on individual academic projects, for example by sitting on advisory groups
- using, and in some cases contributing to, major external surveys such as Understanding Society
- working with the What Works Network (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-works-network), to improve how we create, share and use high quality evidence to inform decision making
Research and analysis publications

Our research and analysis publications from 2010 are in Publications: Research and analysis (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=&publication_filter_option=research-and-analysis&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D=department-for-work-pensions). You can add keywords and other filters to refine the search results.

Our research publications are also listed in these collections:
- ad hoc analyses (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-ad-hoc-analyses)
- ad hoc research (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-ad-hoc-research)
- benefit expenditure ad hoc analysis (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-expenditure-ad-hoc-analysis)
- benefit expenditure and caseload tables (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-expenditure-tables)
- research reports (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/research-reports)
We also publish communications and customer insight research (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/communications-and-customer-insight-research).

Older research publications

You can find older research publications on The National Archives website (http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130314010347/http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rrs-index.asp).

Current research

Check a list of current DWP research in the field undertaken by external organisations - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/current-dwp-research-in-the-field-undertaken-by-external-organisations).

Upcoming research

Read our list of upcoming research publications (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-upcoming-research-publications).

Research contracts

Our external research is commissioned through open competition by the Crown Commercial Service (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/crown-commercial-service). You can find a list of current research contracts on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder).

For more information and advice about research contracts, email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

DWP research reports style guide

Authors producing research reports for the department should read our DWP research reports style guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-research-reports-style-guide).

Other publications

We also publish statistics (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/statistics) and contribute to impact assessments (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=&publication_filter_option=impact-assessments&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D=department-for-work-pensions).

The Evidence and Evaluation Strategy (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evidence-and-evaluation-strategy-2025) sets out the department’s strategy for evidence and evaluation from 2025. It summarises how we generate and use evidence, what evidence we have, and how our evidence will drive delivery of our departmental priorities.

Contacts