Society Watch 2022: They think it's all over - the social legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic

On 14 July 2022, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) held an event at the British Academy for the launch of its third annual Society Watch report. The report focuses on the social legacies of the COVID-19 pandemic, with new research exploring the long-term effects of the pandemic for different communities across society.

These findings generate an image on how society has been affected as a whole, asking what does the evidence tell policy-makers and practitioners about people’s experiences during the pandemic and what the legacy of COVID-19 may be on their lives in the future? We also explore the key challenges facing society in the wake of the pandemic and the implications for the nation’s levelling up agenda.

This year’s annual report provides a unique outlook on the topic, examining policy themes spanning the early years, disruption to education, wellbeing, working life, housing, experiences of marginalised groups, diet and physical health, social attitudes, financial wellbeing, community and ageing and retirement. From the cradle to the grave, the Society Watch series provides a snapshot of what life is like for people in Britain today.

The event was chaired by Guy Goodwin, Chief Executive at NatCen, and speakers included:

• Josefien Breedvelt, Director of Analysis, National Centre for Social Research
• Dominic Abrams, Professor of Social Psychology, University of Kent
• Alissa Goodman, Professor of Economics and Director of the Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL
• Darren Morgan, Director of Economic Statistics Production & Analysis, Office for National Statistics

See materials from the event below, including speaker presentations. 

• Josefien Breedvelt - They Think It’s All Over: The Social Legacy of the COVID19 Pandemic 14 July 2022
• Dominic Abrams - Unity, Division and Community 
• Darren Morgan - The Labour Market Societal or Temporary Change?
• Alissa Goodman - The pandemic experience across different generations, and life course risks