Damien Smith is Deputy Director of Research (Economics) at the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council. He leads the development of work that links economics and other disciplines to look at major priorities such as productivity, economic development, and the impact of globalization.

Before joining the ESRC, Damien was a Senior Policy Advisor at the Department for Work and Pensions, where he led on fiscal event coordination, cross-cutting projects, and the narrative on welfare reform. An economist, Damien led analysis on the future of work, work progression, and employer engagement. He was also the lead economist working on the government’s response to rising unemployment following the financial crisis. Damien has also been a Senior Policy Advisor in the Cabinet Office and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, working on economic growth in cities beyond London.

Damien has a BA in History from the University of the West Indies and an MSc in Economics from Birkbeck, University of London.