Anna Thew

Anna is a Senior Research Assistant and Communications Lead at Northumbria University Common Sense Policy Group, supporting the research and analysis of projects across a range of policy areas. She holds a BSc in Social Policy with Quantitative Research Methods from the University of Leeds and throughout university, she gained work experience in both research and communications, undertaking placements with the Digital Education Service and the Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence. Her research placement focused on the experience of underrepresented students throughout the cost of living crisis to which she was invited to speak and present at local and national conference.

Her undergraduate dissertation analysed survey data from Understanding Society and applied linear regression techniques to explore the influence of socioeconomic background on the pay of degree-qualified individuals. Finding significant pay disparity by parental education and parental qualification, her work was highlighted as an exemplary balance between sociological thinking and data analysis.

Since completing her undergraduate studies Anna has been focused on social research, interning at Centre for Cities think tank where she explored the economic challenges of UKs largest towns and cities, publishing two mayoral briefing on the charitable sector and a blog entitled how do skills relate to cities' economic performance?

Building on her quantitative research skills in social policy, her skills are increasingly essential for emerging research areas. She has contributed to research projects with the Common Sense Policy Group at Northumbria University, spanning topics such as energy, transport and democratic reform, with a particular focus on alternative approaches to reducing inequality and social exclusion.

Anna is dedicated to building her research capacity in welfare, public and social policy, particularly in areas of health, employment, inequality and social exclusion. She is especially engaged with current policy developments in the North East. As Communications Lead, she works to amplify the policy group's core research beyond academia, engaging with policy makers and the government to ensure that the group’s work reaches a broad audience and influences policy decisions.