MRS Seminar: a Guide to Free Census Data

The Census and Geodemographics Group of the MRS is hosting a seminar looking at the wealth of data available free to researchers from the 2001 UK Census, on Wednesday 2 July in London.

With the bulk of local authority information from the 2001 Census now available, and with the small area data due to be released in July, the seminar aims to help market and social researchers maximise their use of the new information as soon as possible.

Addressing the seminar will be a number of experts on the 2001 Census, including: Keith Dugmore, Demographic Decisions Ltd; Chris Denham, ONS Census Division; Professor David Martin, Southampton University; Professor Angela Dale, CCSR, University of Manchester; Corrine Moy, NOP World; Peter Sleight, Target Market Consultancy; and Professor Martin Callingham, Birkbeck College. The seminar will be chaired by Dr. Barry Leventhal, Teradata Division, NCR, and Chair of the MRS Census and Geodemographics Group.

The main focus of the seminar will be an overview of the information available, but it will also examine some of the particular initiatives of the 2001 Census and their specific benefits, including:

• Professor David Martin on the new postcode-based Census geography
  
• Corinne Moy on the inclusion of social grading and its use to assist in survey design and profiling regional and niche populations
  

According to Barry Leventhal, MRS Census and Geodemographics Group Chair, 'small area data ... offers significant benefits to research practitioners in helping them to improve the value and accuracy of their surveys. Moreover, for the first time, data will be effectively free at the point of use, which will undoubtedly lead to a much greater take-up than ever before'.

The Census and Geodemographics Group has a dedicated wesbite at www.geodemographics.org.uk , acting as a gateway to relevant resources online.

'How to benefit from the new free Census data' is due to take place between 10.00am - 4.00pm on Wednesday, 2 July, 2003 at The Society of Chemical Industry, Belgrave Square, London, SW1. For more information and to book a place, please visit www.mrs.org.uk

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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