Antonia Simon

Dr. Antonia Simon is an Associate Professor at the Social Research Institute, UCL Institute of Education, University College London. Her work focuses on childcare policy, early childhood education, and social welfare systems, with expertise in mixed-methods analysis. She has led significant research projects funded by the Nuffield Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Foundation, addressing issues such as private sector childcare impacts, care deserts, and childminding benefits.

• Current Research: Co-leading studies on childminding benefits and secondary school accountability systems
• Key Grants: Funded by Nuffield Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Foundation
• Research Themes: Childcare privatization, care deserts, children's wellbeing, workforce dynamics
• Teaching: Degree Tutor, module lead for Social Science Seminar, postgraduate supervisor

Her recent publications examine financialization in early childhood education, food poverty, and educational technology impacts. She is recognized as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2020) and won the 2025 Cambridge University Press Social Policy Scholarship Award.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2020)
  • 2025 Cambridge University Press Award for Journal of Social Policy
• Collaborations:
  • Works with Thomas Coram Research Unit
  • Part of UCL Social Research Institute