Abigail’s key research areas are living standards, poverty, social exclusion and inequality, specialising in qualitative approaches. She has been involved in the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) programme of research since its inception in 2006 and leads the team producing annual updates, as well as training research teams in other countries in the MIS methodology. She has collaborated on a range of applications of the MIS methodology pioneered by CRSP to look at the needs of people in a range of different situations, including households with fostered children, people living in rural and remote locations, deaf people and people with visual impairments. Most recently the MIS methodology has been used to define and develop a Minimum Digital Living Standard for the UK.
The common theme is the use of deliberative groups to reach public consensus on what is needed for living with dignity. Abigail’s focus is on lived experience and helping people to bring it to bear in meaningful and impactful research that is collaborative and accessible.
Since joining CRSP in 1998 Abigail has worked on a range of quantitative and qualitative research, including national and local evaluations, a meta-analysis of US mandatory welfare-to-work programmes and an ESRC-funded study looking at inter-generational perceptions of risk.
Abigail leads the qualitative element of the UK Minimum Income Standards (MIS) Research and lectures on the methodology. She develops tailored training packages on developing budget standards using the MIS approach for researchers in other countries. Collaborations through the Global MIS Network include working with and providing support for research teams in Austria, France, Japan, Portugal, Ireland, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand and South Africa.
For a brief explanation of the Minimum Income Standard, watch our explainer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzJEMHSy9N8
For the latest information about CRSP Research please go to http://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/crsp/research/
- 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. https://doi.org/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.
- Davis, A., Stone, J., Blackwell, C., Padley, M., Shepherd, C. and Hirsch, D. (2022) A Minimum Income Standard in the UK for 2022. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
- Davis, A., Hirsch, D., Padley, M. and Shepherd, C. (2021) A Minimum Income Standard for the United Kingdom in 2021. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
- 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.
- Davis, A., Hirsch, D., Padley, M. and Shepherd, C. (2020) A Minimum Income Standard for the United Kingdom in 2020. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
- Padley, M., Davis, A., Shepherd, C. and Stone, J. (2019) A Minimum Income Standard for London 2018. London: Trust for London.
- 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.
- Hill, K. and Davis, A. (2018) Making Ends Meet Below the Minimum Income Standard: families’ experiences over time. Loughborough: Centre for Research in Social Policy.
- Davis, A., Hirsch, D. and Padley, M. (2017) ‘The Minimum Income Standard as a benchmark of a ‘participatory social minimum’’, Journal of Poverty and Social Justice. doi:10.1332/175982717X15087736009278
- Padley, M., Davis, A. Hirsch, D., Horsley, N. and Valadez, L. (2017) A Minimum Income Standard for London 2016/17. London: Trust for London.
- 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.
- Hill, K., Davis, A., Hirsch, D. and Marshall, L. (2016) Falling Short: the experiences of families living below the Minimum Income Standard. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
- 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.