ESRC Deputy Director of Research for Economics
Damien Smith is Deputy Director of Research for Economics at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Damien joined ESRC in March 2020 to lead on the development of work that links economics and other disciplines, to look at major priorities such as productivity, work and skills; international development; and globalisation.
Prior to joining 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 on the narrative on welfare reform. An economist, Damien led analysis on the future of work, in-work progression and employer engagement. He was also the lead economist working on the Government response to rising unemployment in the last recession. 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, particularly in the north of England.
Damien holds a degree in History from the University of the West Indies and a Master’s in Economics from Birkbeck, University of London.
Last updated: 4 September 2023