Research project: Stuck in Place: Unpacking Residential Immobility in the UK
Dr. Conor O’Driscoll is an Assistant Professor of Economic Geography at the University of Groningen’s Faculty of Spatial Science. Conor holds a PhD in Economics from University College Cork, Ireland, where he studied the determinants of travel behaviour, with particular attention to the relationship between where we live and how we travel, as well as the environmental and economic consequences of prevailing travel patterns. Conor’s research now centres around the issue of locational mobility, examining issues like remote work, labour market outcomes, internal migration, and travel behaviours.
Conor said:
“I am honoured to have received the RSA early career grant for a project that combines many of my research interests. This project will allow me to examine what it means to be stuck in place across the UK. In doing so, I hope to contribute to broader discussions around regional and labour market policy, leading to new collaborations within the RSA network and the wider academic community.”
Project summary:
Every year, millions of households uproot their lives in search of better opportunities. But a hidden minority remain rooted in place despite their desire to join this search. While much attention in migration and labour market research has been devoted to understanding (labour) mobility and the circumstances under which individuals move, far less is known about those individuals who, for various personal, economic, or structural reasons, find themselves “stuck” in place. This project will focus on these individuals by exploring the prevalence, determinants, and consequences of residential immobility. More specifically, this project will investigate who these people are, where they live (and work), what stops them from moving, and the socio-economic consequences of being “stuck” in place.
The findings of this project will inform housing and labour market policy by identifying barriers to mobility and their wider impacts, offering insights that could support more equitable and responsive regional planning. In doing so, this project will advance our understanding of the complex connections between people, place, and opportunity in the UK.