Lindsey Macmillan

Lindsey Macmillan is a Professor of Economics at University College London (UCL) and Founding Director of the Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities (CEPEO). She also holds roles as a Research Fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies and a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics. Her research focuses on intergenerational mobility, educational inequalities, and policy interventions to equalise opportunities. She has led impactful projects totaling over £1.2m in funding, including studies on intergenerational income mobility, pandemic impacts on youth, and access to elite professions.

Macmillan’s academic journey began at UCL IOE in 2012 as a Lecturer, advancing to her current leadership role in 2019. She collaborates with policy-makers, third-sector organizations, and employers to translate research into actionable policies. Her work spans socioeconomic disparities in education, labor markets, and occupational access. She serves on key advisory boards, including the UK’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Labour Market Advisory Board and the Education Policy Institute.

Her research highlights structural barriers faced by disadvantaged children and proposes evidence-based solutions. Recent articles explore inequalities in professional occupations, mismatches between education and careers, and the long-term effects of recessions on youth. She emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches, combining economics, sociology, and policy analysis to address systemic inequities.

Macmillan’s contributions include over £7m in collaborative grants, such as the COSMO longitudinal study tracking England’s Year 11 cohort. Her policy reports for bodies like the Social Mobility Commission and Sutton Trust aim to inform systemic reforms. Beyond academia, she is an avid sports enthusiast, particularly following Manchester United and Andy Murray.