On Friday 7 November 2025, ESCoE hosted a Festival of Social Science event at King’s College London with around 70 16-18 year olds from London schools. The festival is an annual, UK-wide, free celebration of the social sciences run each autumn.
The group explored important themes around the future of work and economic measurement through hands-on activities, real-time data analysis, and interactive presentations. The event also offered the opportunity to connect with researchers, PhD students, and professional services staff in economics and data science.
Mapping the economy and society
The event began with an introduction from ESCoE Director Rebecca Riley on the importance of mapping the economy and society, and how ESCoE uses surveys and data in our research.
Exploring the changing nature of work
Next, we had a session from ESCoE Research Associate Francesca Foliano. This used Time Use Survey data to explore how work practices differ between remote and office workers. To bring the data to life, students took part in interactive polls based on real survey questions and saw the results appear in real time.
The group looked at how data has been used to understand changes in working patterns after the COVID-19 pandemic, and how these insights can shape policy and wider debates about the future of work.
Estimating the value of social media
The next session run by Research Associate John Lourenze Poquiz introduced the concept of unpaid work, with a focus on household production of entertainment. It demonstrated how online surveys can reveal its nature and value.
Students took part in a short survey, answering questions about time spent on social media and messaging apps, and how much they would need to be paid to give these up for a month. Students estimated that they would need to be paid at least £200 per month – an opportunity cost to the economy of over £100 billion.
John then guided them through real-time data analysis, demonstrating how this data can be used to shed light on the nature and value of unpaid entertainment production. Participants also thought of potential research questions using the collected data.
Careers in and around research
The final part of the day explored careers in and around research, with presentations from Brodie Gillan (University of Strathclyde), Josh Martin (Bank of England), Stuart McIntyre (University of Strathclyde) and ESCoE Operations Director Sarah Sheppard. We also had career posters from other ESCoE researchers and professional services staff.
The presentations and posters included insights into their career journeys, what they enjoy about their current roles, and their advice for young people planning their next steps.
“I wanted to come today because I’ve always been interested in social sciences and am studying sociology and psychology at A Level. Everything we’ve learnt today in terms of research has solidified in my brain that I’d really find it interesting to do wider projects and experiments and figure out the gaps in society that people haven’t really filled out yet…It’s been an amazing experience and I’m very grateful to have been here.” – Student, Dunraven School
“I thought the workshop was really relevant to the time we’re living in – it was great that students could explore how working habits have changed and what impact this has had… A lot of my students enjoy studying Economics or Business but they don’t understand the range of opportunities open to them after school or university…I think they will be able to make better informed decisions about the courses they choose next year.” – Careers Advisor, Christ the King Aquinas.
Thank you to students and teachers from Royal Greenwich Trust School, Sydenham High School, Christ the King Aquinas and Dunraven School for attending and contributing their ideas, and to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for funding the event.
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