Joe Higginbottom
jhigginbottom@ers.org.uk
Joe joined the ERS team as an economist in 2024 after receiving first class honours in Economics and Politics from The University of Strathclyde. During his studies, Joe conducted research for various projects centred around economic policy and large dataset analysis – involving literature reviews, application of theory, and econometric modelling.
Through this work, coupled with leadership roles in various university team assessments, Joe developed a strong foundation in research design, from data gathering to reporting, as well as writing and collaborating to a high academic standard. His econometric expertise includes Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), multiple regression, fixed effects, instrumental variables, forecasting, and difference-in-difference analysis. Joe is also proficient in statistical software such as RStudio and MATLAB, and skilled in data visualization tools like Power BI and Tableau.
This combination of statistical knowledge and clear, concise communication has supported Joe in producing well-researched reports on topics including institutional economics, labour market dynamics, and macro- and micro-level policy analysis. His academic career culminated in the creation of a dissertation examining the indirect relationships between adverse childhood events, educational performance, and socioeconomic position – showcasing his analytical acumen and ability to translate demographic research into policy-relevant insights.