Joseph Cook

Research Fellow

BA, MSc

Joe joined IES as a Research Intern in February 2021, progressing to Research Officer in June 2021and a Research Fellow in July 2024. Their research interests include the marketisation of higher education, workplace wellbeing and support initiatives, and the implementation and evaluation of EDI policies, with a particular focus on widening class participation.

Joe completed an Undergraduate degree in Sociology with American Studies and a MSc in social research methods at the University of Sussex. There, they carried out mixed-methods research exploring the formation and maintenance of livestream communities over time, and how attention is converted into a quantifiable measure signifying success in these online spaces.

As a mixed-methods researcher, Joe has contributed to a range of projects through qualitative and quantitative work. This includes undertaking and analysing in-depth interviews, contributing to literature and systematic reviews, and various report writing efforts. Additionally, Joe’s quantitative expertise includes the analysis of survey and MI data, as well as survey design, particularly in their work on education projects.

Education

2019 University of Sussex MSc, Social Research Methods
2018 University of Sussex BA, Sociology with American Studies

Career

2024 Research Fellow Institute for Employment Studies
2021 Research Officer Institute for Employment Studies
2021 Research Intern Institute for Employment Studies

CV Details

Evaluation of the JobsPlus Pilot, Amy Fox, Rakhee Patel, Kyla Ellis, Kate Alexander, Joseph Cook, Harry Fox, Olivia Garner, Dan Mason, Jade Talbot, Institute for Employment Studies, Jun 2026

AI tools and their use in Restart, Joseph Cook, Kate Alexander, Dan Mason, Rosie Gloster, Institute for Employment Studies , Apr 2026

What works to promote employer action and behaviour change in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), Meenakshi Krishnan, Cristiana Orlando, Joseph Cook, Youth Futures Foundation, Jun 2025

EEFective Kent Project, Rakhee Patel, Ceri Williams, Joseph Cook, Olivia Garner, Education Endowment Foundation, Oct 2024

Improving employer support for those working with cancer: The Bevan report, Zofia Bajorek, Sally Wilson, Joseph Cook, Working With Cancer, Sep 2024

Teachers' professional development journeys, Emma Pollard, Ceri Williams, Alexandra Nancarrow, Jade Talbot, Joseph Cook, Joy Williams, Zofia Bajorek, Louisa Illidge, Department for Education (DfE), May 2024

Teachers’ professional development journeys, Emma Pollard, Ceri Williams, Alexandra Nancarrow, Jade Talbot, Joseph Cook, Joy Williams, Zofia Bajorek, Louisa Illidge, Department for Education (DfE), Apr 2024

The Big Conversation, Alexandra Nancarrow, Joy Williams, Olivia Garner, Joseph Cook, IfATE, Jun 2023

Costs of living impacts in Greater Brighton, Tony Wilson, Matthew Williams, Joseph Cook, Greater Brighton Economic Board, Feb 2023

Using interactive, video learning with AI to improve soft skills acquisition, James Cockett, Joseph Cook, Becci Newton, Institute for Employment Studies, Feb 2022

Enhancing creative education, Joy Williams, Emma Pollard, Joseph Cook, Morwenna Byford, Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre / Arts Council England, Feb 2022

Career Deflection, Matthew Williams, Emma Pollard, Olivia Garner, Joseph Cook, James Cockett, Atkins/Good Relations, Nov 2021

AI in Action: Practical Lessons from Restart Providers

ERSA webinar, July 2026

Findings from the What Retains Experienced Nurses (WREN) project

University of Portsmouth’s Annual Research and Innovation Conference, University of Portsmouth, 27 June 2025