The Royal Economic Society is delighted to congratulate Professor Jo Swaffield OBE, Chair of the RES Women’s Committee, on being recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026 for services to economics.
Professor Swaffield is a distinguished labour economist whose research has focused on some of the most important issues facing the UK labour market, including low pay, minimum wages, the gender pay gap and in-work poverty. Her work has informed public policy and contributed to evidence-based decision-making across government, including through the Low Pay Commission and her role on the Migration Advisory Committee.
As Chair of the RES Women’s Committee, Jo has played a leading role in advancing the Society’s work to improve the status of women in economics and promote greater diversity and inclusion across the profession.
In addition to her work with the RES, Jo serves as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Southampton, is a Trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a member of the Campaign for Social Sciences, and a Governor of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
Commenting on the honour, Professor Swaffield said:
“I am delighted to receive this honour and for my work to be recognised in this way. I’m also grateful to the outstanding and generous colleagues I’ve been fortunate enough to work with and for their support throughout my career.
“Good public policy starts with having solid, reliable evidence on which to base decisions. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to contribute to policy areas that I care deeply about and that are critical to creating a fairer society and economy.”
RES Chief Executive Leighton Chipperfield said:
“This honour is thoroughly deserved. Jo has combined an outstanding academic career with a real commitment to public service and to the economics profession. Her research has influenced policy, her leadership of CHUDE helped strengthen economics departments across the UK, and her current work chairing the RES Women’s Committee is making our profession more inclusive and supportive. We are all delighted for her.”
The RES extends our warmest congratulations to Jo on this well-deserved recognition.