I joined CRSP in 1998. My key area of interest is the application and development of the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) methodology, which has been my focus since 2006. I lead the management and delivery of the core primary research on MIS, working with the team to conduct deliberative groups, compile and price budgets and analyse the findings.
Using MIS as a starting point, my research has included looking at the additional and different costs of people in various locations, including households living in rural England, remote Scotland, London and the States of Guernsey, and studies on the needs of foster carers and people living with sensory impairments.
I design, develop and deliver bespoke training in MIS methods for researchers in other countries, including work with teams on MIS projects in Austria, France, Ireland, Japan, Portugal, South Africa, Mexico, Singapore and Thailand.
My main research interests include lifestyles and living standards, poverty, inequality and social exclusion, budget standards and income adequacy.
Selected publications
- Blackwell, C., Padley, M., Ellis, W., Balchin, E., Stone, J., Robinson, E. and Davis, A. (2026) A Minimum Income Standard for London 2025. London: Trust for London.
- Padley, M. and Davis, A. (2025) A life in dignity for all? UK social security support, income adequacy and minimum living standards under austerity, 2008–2023. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice. Bristol University Press. DOI: 10.1332/17598273Y2024D000000036
- Davis, A., Blackwell, C., Ellis, W., Padley, M., Stone, J. and Balchin, E. (2024) A Minimum Income Standard for the United Kingdom in 2024. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
- Yates, S., Hill, K., Blackwell, C., Davis, A., Padley, M., Stone, E., Polizzi, G., D’Arcy, J., Harris, R., Sheppard, P., Singleton, A., Ye, Z., Carmi, E. and Garikipati, S. (2024) A Minimum Digital Living Standard for Households with Children: Overall Findings Report. Liverpool: University of Liverpool.
- Padley, M. and Davis, A. (2023) The Minimum Income Standard: Understanding the cost of education to households in the UK. London: Child Poverty Action Group
- Hecht, K., Burchardt, T. and Davis, A. (2022) Richness, insecurity and the welfare state. Journal of Social Policy, 1-22. doi:10.1017/S0047279422000617
- Padley, M. and Davis, A. (2020) 'Applying the Minimum Income Standard in diverse national contexts’ in C. Deeming (ed.) Minimum Income Standards and Reference Budgets: international and comparative policy perspectives. Bristol: Policy Press
- Davis, A., Hecht, K., Burchardt, T., Gough, I., Hirsch, D., Rowlingson, K. and Summers, K. (2020) Living on Different Incomes in London: Can public consensus identify a 'riches line'? London: Trust for London.
- Hill, K., Hirsch, D., and Davis, A. (2020) The Role of Social Support Networks in Helping Low Income Families through Uncertain Times. Social Policy and Society, 1-16. Doi:10.1017/S1474746420000184
- Davis, A., Hirsch, D., Padley, M. and Shepherd, C. (2018) A Minimum Income Standard for the UK, 2008-2018: continuity and change. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
- Byaruhanga, C., Davis, A., Mpike, M., Ntshongwana, P., Padley, M., Wright, G. and Zembe-Mkabile, W. (2017) A Decent Living level: a pilot of the Minimum Income Standard Approach in South Africa. Cape Town: SASPRI.
- Davis, A., Hirsch, D., Padley, M. and Marshall, L. (2015) How much is enough? Reaching social consensus on minimum household needs Loughborough: Centre for Research in Social Policy
- Hill, K., Davis, A., Hirsch, D., Padley, M. and Smith, N. (2015) Disability and minimum living standards: The additional costs of living for people who are sight impaired and people who are Deaf. Loughborough: Centre for Research in Social Policy.
- Davis, A. and Padley, M. (2013) Household Costs and Foster Care. Loughborough: Loughborough University.
- Davis, A., Hirsch, D., Iwanaga, R., Iwata, M., Shigekawa, J., Uzuki, Y. and Yamada, A. (2013) 'Comparing the Minimum Income Standard in the UK and Japan: Methodology and Outcome', Social Policy and Society Firstview Article, Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 doi:10.1017/S147474641300033X.
- Hirsch, D., Bryan, A., Davis, A., Smith, N., Ellen, J. and Padley, M. (2013) A minimum income standard for remote rural Scotland. Inverness: Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
- Smith, N., Hirsch, D. and Davis, A. (2010) A minimum income standard for rural households. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
- Bradshaw, J., Middleton, S., Davis, A., Oldfield, N., Smith, N., Cusworth, L. and Williams, J., (2008) A Minimum Income Standard for Britain: what people think. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.