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James Wright

Research Student

School of Policy & Global Affairs Department of Sociology and Criminology

Contact details

About

Overview

James Wright is a Doctoral Researcher and Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Sociology and Criminology. His PhD, 'Rethinking Housing Deprivation: A Multidimensional Analysis of the UK and Europe', focuses on measuring and comparing patterns of housing deprivation in Europe using cross-sectional survey data. The project is funded through a ESRC studentship award from the South and East Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS) under the Justice, Institutions & Social Change research theme.

James' research has covered a broad range of social policy topics, including:

  • Housing and homelessness studies
  • Poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion
  • Environmental social science
  • Personal values, attitudes and beliefs 
  • Comparative research

James focuses on advanced quantitative methods and the use of large social survey data. He has further experience supporting qualitative and peer-led research, and is keen to promote both mixed-methods and policy-focused research.

James holds a MSc in Social Research from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a BSc in Geography from the University of Bristol. Before starting his PhD, James worked at the Policy Institute, King's College London, and across multiple roles within the homelessness and housing advice charity sectors. 

Qualifications

  • Social Research (MSc), Goldsmiths University of London, United Kingdom, 2020 - 2021
  • Geography (BSc), University of Bristol, United Kingdom, 2016 - 2019

Employment

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, City St George's, University of London, United Kingdom, October 2025 - present
  • Research Assistant, King's College London, United Kingdom, April - June 2025
  • Quantitative Research Assistant, King's College London, United Kingdom, April 2022 - April 2025
  • Data Support Officer, St Mungo's, United Kingdom, September 2021 - March 2022
  • Quality and Impact Lead, Housing Matters Bristol, United Kingdom, September 2020 - September 2021

Research

Title of thesis: Rethinking Housing Deprivation: A Multidimensional Analysis of the UK and Europe

October 2025 - March 2029

Summary of research

Despite improvements during the 20th century, many Europeans still experience housing deprivation: where living conditions fail to meet basic standards such as affordability, safety, and quality. Yet, there is little consensus on how best to conceptualise, measure and compare different dimensions of housing deprivation between nations.

The project will explore the most reliable ways to measure housing problems across Europe, considering diverse factors that define deprivation; from unaffordability and poor-quality homes to neighbourhood issues. The research will then compare how individual-, regional- and national-level factors impact patterns of deprivation in the UK and European nations.

The project will use UK and cross-European survey data to examine trends over time, and across regions. By applying advanced quantitative methods (including factor analysis and measurement invariance testing, multi-level regression analysis, and structural equation modelling), the project aims to answer several key questions:

- How do housing problems vary between the UK and other countries?
- What are the best ways to define and measure different types of housing deprivation?
- Which groups are most impacted by different issues?
- And how can policies address disparities?

Ultimately, the project seeks to improve our understanding of housing inequality and offer better evidence for policymakers to design more equitable solutions. Beyond producing standard academic publications, the project aims to bridge the gap between research and policy through sharing findings in short-format reports, seminar presentations, and through internship placements.

Research students

1stsupervisor

2ndsupervisor

Publications

Featured publications

  1. Underwood, J., Wright, J. and Piggott, H. (2025). Closed Doors: The Challenges of Finding Face-to-Face Help With Homelessness Applications, and the Impact on Hospitals in London. Elsevier BV.
  2. Stoneman, P. and Wright, J. (2025). Moral foundations and political ideology in the UK. The British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 27(3), pp. 887-907. doi:10.1177/13691481241291426

    [publisher’s website]

Publications by category

Dataset

  • Duffy, R., Mortimore, R., Hewlett, K., Wright, J., Stoneman, P., Voas, D.... Halpern, D.(2024). World Values Survey: Wave 7, United Kingdom, 2022.

    [publisher’s website]

Reports (14)

  • Morini, P., Wright, J. and Duffy, B. (2025). The evolution of public values and attitudes across the countries of the United Kingdom..
  • Morini, P., Wright, J., Hewlett, K., Duffy, B., Hall, S., Worrell, A.... Regan, Z. (2025). The role of data and insights on public values and attitudes in international policymaking..
  • Duffy, B., Morini, P., Wright, J. and Hewlett, K. (2024). Perceptions of the police: a generational crisis of confidence?.
  • Hewlett, K., Regan, Z., Wright, J., Alvarez Campero, S., Woollen, C. and Hall, S. (2024). Shared social values..
  • Duffy, B., May, G., Wright, J. and Hewlett, K. (2023). Parenting priorities: international attitudes towards raising children..
  • Duffy, B., May, G., Wright, J. and Hewlett, K. (2023). What the world thinks about work..
  • Duffy, B., May, G., Voas, D., Wright, J., Harsanyi, R., Hewlett, K.... Stoneman, P. (2023). Lost faith? The UK’s changing attitudes to religion..
  • Duffy, B., May, G., Hewlett, K., Wright, J. and Stoneman, P. (2023). Love thy neighbour? Public trust and acceptance of the people who live alongside us..
  • Duffy, B., May, G., Hewlett, K., Wright, J. and Stoneman, P. (2023). Democracy in theory and practice: how UK attitudes compare internationally..
  • Wright, J., Hewlett, K., Stoneman, P. and Duffy, B. (2023). The role of trust and engagement on public support for climate action..
  • Hewlett, K., Wright, J. and Duffy, B. (2023). Measuring trust in social surveys..
  • Duffy, B., May, G., Hewlett, K., Wright, J. and Stoneman, P. (2023). Trust in trouble? UK and international confidence in institutions..
  • Duffy, B., May, G., Hewlett, K., Wright, J. and Stoneman, P. (2023). A growing liberalisation: how social attitudes have shifted in the UK and beyond​..
  • Duffy, B., May, G., Hewlett, K., Wright, J. and Stoneman, P. (2023). UK attitudes to immigration: how the public became more positive..