- 200 years
- Study
- International
- Business and employers
- Research
- About us
https://webcdn.mmu.ac.uk/profiles/img/profile-images/Ashwin-Kumar-crop-145x145-5f6a20380ff85.jpg
I am an economist and I work on analysis and modelling of incomes, poverty, the labour market and welfare reform.
I have worked as a social policy economist for over 20 years. Prior to joining MMU, I was Chief Economist of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. In the past, I have worked as an economic adviser to Gordon Brown, and as a Senior Economic Adviser at the Department for Work and Pensions
Ashwin has worked as a social policy economist for over 20 years. Before joining MMU, Ashwin was the Chief Economist of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
In the past he has worked for Gordon Brown as an economic adviser, supporting him in his post-prime-ministerial role for the World Economic Forum, and for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
At the DWP, he had roles in charge of economic modelling, and in charge of housing research and analysis.
He has also worked as Rail Director of the consumer watchdog Passenger Focus (now called Transport Focus), and run his own public policy economics consultancy, Liverpool Economics.
Ashwin has also served as a non-executive director of the homelessness charities St Mungo's and Broadway Homelessness and Support, the National Housing Federation, and the New Charter Housing Trust Group (now part of Jigsaw Homes).
Deputy Director, Policy Evaluation Research Unit
The Master in Public Administration (MPA) is designed to provide the intellectual foundations for students aspiring to a career in leadership of public services, whether in the public, voluntary or private sector.
Career routes to leadership in these sectors require a combination of skills: understanding the wider public service context, economics of public services, governance, accountability and performance management, and leadership, management and finance. Public service leaders must also have specialist knowledge of the services and policy areas in which they operate.
Students will be taught by academics in the Policy Evaluation Research Unit (PERU), an internationally recognised policy-research unit with expertise in models of public service delivery and policy making.
PERU members have a track record of research in the UK and Europe and links with institutions in the US and South East Asia. They are actively involved in research programmes commissioned by public service organisations, including central government departments, and many members of the unit have worked in public services at a senior or non-executive board level.
These international contacts and this practical and research experience will directly influence what students are taught, with the content of the course drawing on global public administration and policy case studies.
This means students will be learning at the cutting edge of the latest developments in public services. Students will also take advantage of a rich programme of guest lectures and opportunities for them to undertake final projects in real world settings.
The course is aimed at recent graduates and managers in public services looking to accelerate their careers. It will offer a blended delivery that is designed to ensure that people can access the course on a part-time basis, as well as full-time, to facilitate those who are combining study with working in public services
Analysing Social Problems unit in the Sociology undergraduate programme
Master in Public Administration
Statistics in Practice unit in the MSc Applied Quantitative Methods
Ashwin works on analysis and modelling of incomes, poverty, the labour market and welfare reform.
He maintains and develops the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) Tax-Benefit Model, used by the IPPR, Resolution Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, New Economics Foundation and the Legatum Institute to analyse the effects of tax and benefit policy on incomes, poverty and government costs.
Recent projects include an economic evaluation of a Citizens Basic Income for Scotland, and the evaluation of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter.
Joint project with the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde and IPPR Scotland to deliver an economic evaluation of a Citizens Basic Income for Scotland.
Working with the Institute of Public Policy Research, Resolution Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, New Economics Foundation and Legatum Institute, on modelling the effects of the tax and benefit system on incomes, poverty and government spending
Working with the Decent Work and Productivity Research Centre on an evaluation of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
A. Kumar, K. Jones (2022). Idleness. Agenda Publishing.
A. Kumar, K. Jones (2022). Idleness. Agenda Publishing.
K. Connolly, D. Eiser, A. Kumar, PG. McGregor, G. Roy (2024). A micro-macro-economic modelling approach to major welfare system reforms: The case of a Universal Basic Income for Scotland. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics. 68, pp.259-268.
E. Congreve, K. Connolly, J. Harrison, A. Kumar, PG. McGregor, et al. M. Mitchell. The impact of using an income supplement to meet child poverty targets: evidence from Scotland. Journal of Social Policy. pp.1-17.
K. Connolly, D. Eiser, A. Kumar, PG. McGregor, G. Roy (2022). Universal Basic Income as an instrument of regional development policy: a micro–macroeconomic analysis for Scotland. Regional Studies. 56(6), pp.1043-1055.
G. Bailey, K. Wong, S. Morris, A. Kumar Kikit Pathwayz Prevent Local Delivery Impact Evaluation Scoping Report. Manchester Metropolitan University and Ipsos Mori, Home Office.
P. Edwards, K. Wong, S. Morris, A. Kumar Reveal Theatre Prevent Local Delivery Impact Evaluation Scoping Report. Manchester Metropolitan University and Ipsos Mori, Home Office.
D. Stellmacher, G. Bailey, K. Wong, S. Morris, A. Kumar Empowering Minds Mothers Against Radicalisation Prevent Local Delivery Impact Evaluation Scoping Report. Ipsos MORI and Policy Evaluation and Research Unit, Manchester Metropolitan University, Home Office.
Advisor to the Health Foundation on dynamic microsimulation modelling
Member of the Audit Committee of the homelessness charity, St Mungo's
Member of the UK Statistics Authority Advisory Panel on Consumer Prices (Stakeholder)
Member of the Oversight Board of the Health Foundation's REAL Centre (research and economic analysis for the long term)