Dr.Fari Aftab

      I make research that is clear and credible, 

  built to be used, not just reviewed

I am Dr Fari Aftab, a postdoctoral research associate and applied economist working at the intersection of work, health, wellbeing and productivity. I specialise in producing rigorous, decision ready evidence, the kind that travels beyond academia and informs policy, practice, and everyday choices. At Cardiff University, I lead large scale analysis using Understanding Society to examine disability dynamics, job quality, and labour market outcomes, with a strong emphasis on reproducible methods and clear interpretation.

Alongside my academic research, I support the Wales Productivity Forum across a wide range of activities. This includes developing and updating website resources such as the Productivity Toolkit, helping businesses assess and improve productivity, and publishing blogs that share practical insights from events I attend supported by the Forum and Cardiff University. In parallel, I develop research on dysfunctional presenteeism across UK regions, translating complex patterns into concise, accessible insight for non-specialist audiences.

I work best where standards are high and delivery matters. I am highly organised, detail focused, and comfortable owning projects end to end, from scoping and research design through to analysis, reporting and dissemination. I also value collaboration and the craft of communication, making sure the evidence is not only robust, but also clear, engaging, and useful to the people who need it.

Current collaborations include colleagues from 

🏛️ Cardiff University 

🤝 University of Surrey

🏛️ NIESR

🤝 University of Reading

🏛️ Northumbria University

🤝 University of Leeds