Congratulations to Matthew who has successfully secured the Tier 2 Cambridge Humanities Research Grant (CHRG)
Earlier this year Matthew won the College’s Dame Anne Warburton Award for his work researching the intersections between social class(ification), consumption, debt-based finance, and political economy. His research aims to examine how credit scoring systems in the UK have class-like effects on people’s life chances. This new fund will benefit the same project, with additional funds for the qualitative interviews needed for his research.
The additional funding will also enable Matthew to: (I) organise a user workshop, in collaboration with the Bennett Institute, bringing together policymakers and representatives from CRAs, MyBnk and debt charities to disseminate preliminary findings and policy outcomes; and (II) deliver financial education workshops, in coordination with the youth financial education charity MyBnk, on the mechanics of credit scores and their impacts, directly to 16-25-year-olds in further education (FE) and higher education (HE) institutions.
About Matthew Sparkes
Matthew has a first degree in Sociology, a master’s in Social Research and a PhD in Economic Sociology from the University of York. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). He is Director of Studies Human, Social and Political Sciences and Fellow at Lucy Cavendish College. He has engaged in several widening participation initiatives, including work for the Realising Opportunities programme, the Sutton Trust, and StepChange Debt Charity. Read Dr Matthew Sparkes’ profile on the Fellow’s page.
Read more about Matthew’s research and his role at Lucy Cavendish College