Our research

Alcohol use across the life course: links with health and wellbeing

This research project uses evidence from all four of our cohort studies to investigate the short- and long-term health impacts of alcohol.

Does the language of 11-year-olds predict their future?

This research project aimed to apply automatic content analysis tools to transcribed self-reported essays, written by study members at age 11 and age 50 in order to undertake quantitative analysis of the words and concepts expressed by respondents.

Childhood mental health trajectories and lifetime consequences: a cross-cohort programme of work

This project examines young people’s mental health trajectories today in the context of previous generations, using data from all four of our cohort studies.

Parental wealth in childhood and its relationship with children’s development and predictors of wealth in adult life

For the first time in the history of the UK birth cohort studies, a short measure of parents’ financial assets and debts is available in childhood (Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), age 11) alongside measures of income. This research project aims to understand how parents’ long-term financial position shapes their children’s outcomes from an early stage.

Social mobility mechanisms and consequences

This research project provides empirical evidence on curricula delivery variation in the UK and institutional differences through analysis of Next Steps and linked National Pupil Database data.

Cross Cohort Research Programme

Incorporating seven projects, this programme explored two key themes which are both central to government policy: healthy lifestyles and the transmission of advantage and disadvantage from one generation to the next.

What works for wellbeing cross-cutting capabilities evidence programme

The Centre for Longitudinal Studies forms part of the What Works for WellBeing Cross-Cutting Capabilities evidence programme, which is led by Professor Richard Layard (LSE). CLS’s contribution is led by Professor Alissa Goodman.

Home moves in early years: the impact on children in the US and the UK

In-work poverty and retirement attitudes among a cohort born in 1958

The aim of this research project was to explore retirement-related attitudes, aspirations, expectations, and plans for retirement among adults who are in their mid to late 50s.

Initial findings from the Millennium Cohort Study Age 11 Sweep

The fifth MCS survey took place during 2012 when participants were aged 11. Our initial findings from the age 11 survey cover a range of themes, from family structure to child cognitive development.