Dr Stefan Speckesser

Stefan’s research focuses on education and social policy topics and is mainly based on large scale unstructured (“big”) data, including government registers. In order to test hypotheses of economic relationships using such empirical material, he combines data science techniques with econometric analysis, which relates the statistical analysis to models/hypothesis derived from economic theory.

He makes use a wide range of experimental and non-experimental econometric methods to learn more about the effectiveness of policy programmes and institutions. He is specifically interested in education and labour market institutions as a skilled workforce and productive labour market participation is fundamental to achieve the full productive potential of the economy and highest possible quality of life in the long-term. This interest includes education policy (and the creation of a workforce having access to specific technical skills), the coordination of wage setting in the aggregate economy and the impact of labour market regulation.

• Economics, Mannheim (Dr. rer. pol., 2004)
• Political Science, Berlin (Diplom-Politologe, 1996)

• 2020 -: Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Brighton
• 2017 – 2020: Associate Research Director, National Institute
• 2010 – 2017: Principal Economist, Institute for Employment Studies, Brighton
• 2006 – 2010: Senior Lecturer and Course Leader, University of Westminster, London
• 2004 – 2006: Senior Research Fellow (2004 – 2005 Research Fellow), Policy Studies Institute, London
• 1999 – 2006: Lecturer and part-time Ph.D. student, University of Mannheim
• 1999: Lecturer and part-time Ph.D. student, Dresden University of Technology
• 1998 – 1999: Associate, Towers Perrin, Frankfurt
• 1994 – 1998: Research Fellow (1994 – 1996 Student Research Assistant) Social Science Research Center Berlin

His research portfolio covers a broad range of projects in labour economics, education and structural economics. Current and recent projects include a study on the costs of low skilled adults to the European economy (for Cedefop), a study on the possible implications of Brexit (for the European Parliament), a project in the ONS Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE) on using administrative data to improve labour market statistics, an evaluation of the impact of work-based learning on firm-level outcomes and the impact analysis of the “Traineeship” programme to improve the school-to-work transition of young people not progressing to Sixth Form education (both for the Department for Education).

Stefan is also leading one of the nodes of the Centre of Vocational Education Research (CVER) funded by the Department of Education (DfE).

Refereed Journals

• Dorsett, R., Smeaton, D. and S. Speckesser (2013), ‘The Effect of Making a Voluntary Labour Market Programme Compulsory: Evidence from a UK Experiment’, Fiscal Studies, 34 (4), 467-489
• Buscha, F., Maurel, A., Page, L. and S. Speckesser (2012), ‘The Effect of High School Employment on Educational Attainment’, Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, 74 (3), 380-396
• Bergemann A., B. Fitzenberger and S. Speckesser (2009), ‘Evaluating the Dynamic Employment Effects of Training Programs in East Germany Using Conditional Difference-in-Differences’, Journal of Applied Econometrics, 24, 797-823
• Fitzenberger B. and S. Speckesser (2007), ‘Employment Effects of the Provision of Specific Professional Skills and Techniques in Germany’, Empirical Economics, 32, 530-573
• Bergemann A., B. Fitzenberger, B. Schultz and S. Speckesser (2000), ‘Multiple Active Labor Market Policy Participation in East Germany: An Assessment of Outcomes’, Applied Economics Quarterly, 51, 195-244
• Fitzenberger B. and S. Speckesser (2000), ‘Zur wissenschaftlichen Evaluation der Aktiven Arbeitsmarktpolitik in Deutschland: Ein Überblick’, Mitteilungen aus der Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, 33 (3), 357-371
• Schmid G., H. Schütz and S. Speckesser (1999), ‘Broadening the Scope of Benchmarking’, Labour, 13, 879-899
• Auer P. and S. Speckesser (1998), ‘Labour Markets and Organisational Change’, The Journal of Management and Governance, 1 (2), 177-206

Research reports

• Speckesser S., J. Anders, A. De Coulon, R. Dorsett, H. Espinoza Bustos, L. Kirchner Sala and V. Nafilyan (2015), Empirical research on Youth Transitions to, and within the labour market: Findings of descriptive and econometric analyses, Research Paper 255, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
• Speckesser S. and L. Kirchner Sala (2015), Empirical research on Youth Transitions to, and within the labour market: executive summary, Research Paper 255b, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
• Kirchner Sala L., V. Nafilyan, S. Speckesser and A. Tassinari (2015), Youth transitions to and within the labour market: A literature review, Research Paper 255a, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
• Speckesser S., V. Nafilyan and S. Ledermaier ,(2015), Pay in Europe in different wage-bargaining regimes, Report EF1533, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound)
• Gonzalez Carreras, F., L. Kirchner Sala and S. Speckesser (2015), The Effectiveness of Policies to combat Youth Unemployment, STYLE Working Paper 3.2, CROME, University of Brighton
• Hadjivassiliou K., A. Tassinari, S. Speckesser, S. Swift and C. Bertram C (2015), Policy Performance and Evaluation: United Kingdom, STYLE Working Paper 3.3/UK, CROME, University of Brighton
• Hadjivassiliou, K., L. Kirchner Sala and S. Speckesser (2015), Key Indicators and Drivers of Youth Unemployment, STYLE Working Paper 3.3/UK, CROME, University of Brighton
• Mallender, J., Q. Liger, R. Tierney, D. Beresford, J. Eager, S. Speckesser, V. Nafilyan (2014), Reasonable Accommodation and Sheltered Workshops for People with Disabilities: Costs and Returns of Investments, Report prepared for the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
• Nafilyan, N. and S. Speckesser (2014), The Youth Contract provision for 16- and 17-year-olds not in education, employment or training evaluation: Econometric estimates of programme impacts and net social benefits, Research Report 318B, London: Department for Education
• Newton B., S. Speckesser, V. Nafilyan, S.Maguire, D. Devins, T. Bickerstaffe (2014), The Youth Contract for 16-17 year olds not in education, employment or training evaluation, Research Report 318A, Department for Education
• Wiseman J., P. Roe, E. Parry, B. Newton, S. Speckesser and J. Vila-Belda Montalt (2013) Evaluation of Apprenticeship Grant for Employers of 16 – 24 year olds, Final draft submitted to Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (May 2013)
• Samek, M., S. Comi, F. Origo, M. Patrizio,. N. Torchio, S. Speckesser and J. Vila-Belda Montalt (2013), The effectiveness and costs-benefits of apprenticeships: Results of the quantitative analysis, Brussels: European Commission (May 2013)
• Khan, U., A. Broughton, S. Ledermaier, C. Rickard, S. Speckesser and J. Mallender J (2013), European added value of applying the principle of Equal Pay for male and female workers for equal work or work of equal value, Report to European Parliament
• Wiseman, J., P. Roe, E. Parry, R. Gloster, B. Foley, S. Speckesser, F. Behling and J. Vila-Belda Montalt (2013) Evaluation of the Impact of Learning below Level 2 in FE, BIS Discussion Paper 150, London: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
• Behling, F. and S. Speckesser (2013), An impact analysis of the introduction of National Minimum Wage Apprentice Rate, Research paper to the Low Pay Commission for the preparation of its 2013 report
• Speckesser, S. (2013), The Immigrant Workforce in Germany: Formal and Informal Barriers to Addressing Skills Deficits, Discussion Paper, Washington DC (Migration Policy Institute)
• Buscha, F and P. Urwin with D. Thomson, D. Bibby, T. Knight and S. Speckesser (2012), Estimating the labour market returns to qualifications gained in English Further Education using the Individualised learner Record (ILR), Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
• Tyers, C., Speckesser, S., Hicks, B., Baxter, K., Gilbert, M. and E. Ball (2012), Occupational Hygiene at the Olympic Park and Athletes’ Village: Can workplace health management be cost effective? Report No. 497, Institute for Employment Studies
• Speckesser, S., Hillage, J., Hogarth, T., Ni Luanaigh, A. and R. Garrett (2012), Sector Skills Insights: Energy, UK Commission for Employment and Skills Evidence Report 51
• Pollard E, Behling F, Hillage J, Speckesser S (2012), Jobcentre Plus Employer Satisfaction and Experience Survey 2012, DWP Research Report 806, Leeds (Corporate Documents Service)
• Cox A, Higgins T, Speckesser S (2011), Management Practices and Sustainable Organisational Performance: An Analysis of the European Company Survey, Dublin: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
• Meager N, Speckesser, S (2011), Wages, productivity and employment: A review of theory and international data, Brussels: European Employment Observatory
• Greenberg D, Knight G, Speckesser S, Hevenstone D (2011), Improving DWP assessment of the relative costs and benefits of employment programmes, DWP Working Paper 100, Leeds (Corporate Documents Service)
• Dorsett, R. and S. Speckesser (2006), Mandating IAP for older New Dealers: an interim report of the quantitative evaluation, DWP Research Report 362, Leeds (Corporate Documents Service)
• Dorsett, R., G. Haile and S. Speckesser (2006), Work-Focused Interviews for Partners (WFIP) and enhanced New Deal for Partners (NDP): Quantitative Impact Assessment, DWP Research Report 352, Sheffield (DWP)
• Knight, G., P. Dolton, J. Smith, S. Speckesser, D. Kasparova and J.P. Wagner de Azevedo (2006), Lone Parents Work Focused Interviews/New Deal for Lone Parents: combined evaluation and further net impacts, DWP Research Report 368, Sheffield (DWP)
• Speckesser, S. and H. Bewley (2006), The longer term outcomes of Work-Based Learning for Adults: Evidence from administrative data, DWP Research Report 390, Sheffield (DWP)
• Müller, K. and S. Speckesser (2006), ‘Mikroökonometrische Evaluation der Veränderungen in der Sperrzeitenpolitik’ (Ch. 4) , in WZB/infas (Ed.), Evaluation der Maßnahmen zur Umsetzung der Vorschläge der Hartz-Kommission, Berlin (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales)
• Urwin, P., Chevalier, P-A., Karuk, V., Latreille, P., Michielsens, E., Page, L., Siara, B. and Speckesser, S. (2009), Evaluating the Use of Judicial Mediation in Employment Tribunals: Processes, Outcomes and Costs, Commissioned by the Ministry of Justice.

Research Papers in Edited Volumes

• Hadjivasiliou, K., Higgings, T., Rickard, C. and S. Speckesser (2012), The UK: Longer Labour Market transitions and Deskilling, in: Samek Lodovici, M. and Semenza, R (eds,), Precarious Work and High-Skilled Youth in Europe, Milan: FrancoAngeli
• Bender, S., A. Bergemann, B. Fitzenberger, M. Lechner, R. Miquel, S. Speckesser and C. Wunsch (2005), Über die Wirksamkeit von FuU-Maßnahmen, Ein Evaluationsversuch mit prozessproduzierten Daten aus dem IAB, Nuremberg (Beiträge zur Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung)
• Fitzenberger, B. and S. Speckesser (2004), ‘Eine ökonomische Einordnung der Förderung der beruflichen Weiterbildung im Rahmen der Aktiven Arbeitsmarktpolitik’, in Fitzenberger, B., W. Smolny and P. Winker (Ed.), Herausforderungen an den Wirtschaftsstandort Deutschland, Wirtschaftspolitisches Memorandum aus wissenschaftlicher Sicht, ZEW Wirtschaftsanalysen (72), Baden-Baden (Nomos)
• Speckesser, S. (2004), ‘The Aggregate Impact of Active Labour Market Policy in Germany and the UK, Evidence from Administrative Data’, in Schmid, G., M. Gangl and P. Kupka (Ed.), Arbeitsmarktpolitik und Strukturwandel, Empirische Analysen, Nuremberg (Beiträge zur Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung)
• Fitzenberger B. und S. Speckesser (2002), ‘Weiterbildungsmaßnahmen in Ostdeutschland: Ein Misserfolg der Arbeitsmarktpolitik?’, in Schmähl W. (Ed.), Soziale Sicherung und Arbeitsmarkt, Schriftenreihe des Vereins für Socialpolitik, 294, Berlin (Duncker und Humblodt), 51-81
• Schmid G., S. Speckesser and C. Hilbert (2001), ‘Does Active Labour Market Policy Matter? An Aggregate Analysis for Germany’, in de Koning J. and H. Mosley (Ed.) Labour Market Policy and Unemployment. An Evaluation of Active Measures in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, Cheltenham (Elgar), 77-114
• Schütz H., G. Schmid and S. Speckesser (1997), ‘Ranking National Labour Market Performance: The Case of the Bertelsmann Foundation’, in Tronti L. (Ed.), Benchmarking employment performance, Brussels (Commission of the European Union), 253-279
• Speckesser S., H. Schütz and G. Schmid (1997), ‘The Development of Benchmarking in the Public and in the Private Sector’, in Tronti L. (Ed.), Benchmarking Employment Performance, Brussels (Commission of the European Union), 51-62
• Speckesser S., H. Schütz and G. Schmid (1997), ‘Benchmarking Labour Markets and Labour Policies with the Reference to the European Employment Strategy’, in Tronti L. (Ed.), Benchmarking Employment Performance, Brussels (Commission of the European Union), 76-97
• Auer P. and S. Speckesser (1996), ‘Arbeitsmarkt- und Organisationswandel: Zukünftige Arbeitsstrukturen und ältere Arbeitnehmer’, in Frieling E. (Ed.), Automobilmontage in Europa, Frankfurt am Main, New York (Campus), 20-55

Doctoral dissertation

• Speckesser, S. (2004), Essays on Evaluation of Active Labour Market Policy, Dissertation, University of Mannheim, Mannheim