ESRC Observatories

IPPO follows in footsteps of Economics Observatory

Two observatories funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) are bringing research and policy together in a new way to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 and accelerate the UK’s economic and social recovery.

In addition to the newly-launched International Public Policy Observatory (IPPO), the Economics Observatory (ECO) was launched in early 2020 to provide sound and non-partisan answers to the many economic questions raised by COVID-19, bridging the gap between academic research, government policy and the general public.

ECO’s goal is to provide balanced and reliable answers to the economic questions that COVID-19 and its aftermath will bring – ensuring these answers are as accessible and engaging as possible. Its expert team of economic writers and editors are drawn from across the countries and regions of the UK, with a hub in Bristol.

By publishing daily articles, videos and charts, ECO aims to help the public and policymakers better understand the pandemic and the numerous challenges that will follow. Over the next two years, ECO will strengthen its links with universities across the country, expand its use of media including data visualisations, and take part in regional and national discussions on economic policy, both for pandemic recovery and longstanding economic challenges the UK faces.