A webinar featuring substantive analysis of European Social Survey (ESS) data was held on Tuesday 4 April 2023.

It featured presentations from researchers who have conducted analysis of data collected over the first 20 years of the project (2002-22).

Presentations focused on analysis of data measuring institutional trust, happiness and life satisfaction, employment and innovation, and trust as a catalyst for economic growth.

00:02:13 Riccardo Di Leo (Carlos III Juan March Institute) introduced research that assessed ESS data (2002-19) on institutional trust in the context of military service. Di Leo provided evidence to suggest that reintroducing compulsory military service may not produce the effects anticipated by its advocates.

00:24:53 Radka Hanzlová (Czech Academy of Sciences) presented analyses of two items included in every round of the ESS measuring levels of happiness and life satisfaction amongst respondents. The presentation assessed how these measures vary over time (2002-22), across countries and in terms of characteristics such as gender, age, income, health and marital status.

00:42:04 Gilad Be'ery (Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry) delivered a presentation on the differences between industries and social groups when it comes to innovation. The research drew on ESS data collected in rounds 6-9 (2012-19) and included a systematic analysis that assessed to what extent different groups of employees value innovation.

01:03:06 Jonathan Muringani (University of Oslo) discussed how trust in institutions can be a catalyst for regional growth in Europe. The panel regression analysis of 208 regions - using data from the first eight rounds of the ESS (2002-17) - showed that institutions matter for economic growth, both individually and in combination.

The webinar was chaired by the ESS Deputy Director, Dr. Eric Harrison (City, University of London).

This event was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 871063.