The role of “soft skills” in life outcomes of children and young people (360G-Wellcome-202842_Z_16_Z)

The grant will be used to fund a one-day interdisciplinary (Economics and Psychology) workshop on the specific topic of: ‘The role of "soft skills" in life outcomes of children and young people’. ‘Soft skills’, such as emotional intelligence, social/interpersonal skills, and sense of agency are increasingly being identified as important factors in explaining various life outcomes; these include (mental and physical) health outcomes directly, and outcomes, that affect health indirectly, including educational achievements, earnings, subjective wellbeing, and a variety of risky behaviours (crime, drug abuse and alcohol consumption etc.). The available evidence indicates that while the foundations for soft skills develop during early life, they remain malleable over the life cycle. Therefore, research that focuses on soft skills – their measurement, outcomes, and development –is likely to be particularly important in shaping an effective public policy agenda in this area. The workshop will be a novel interdisciplinary collaboration, which will provide an interactive platform for active researchers and policy-makers, from a range of backgrounds and institutions, with an interest in child development and soft skills. The event will aim to stimulate debate, promote collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking, as well as shape future health and well-being research and policy agendas.