About Us
The Research Unit for Financial Inclusion (RUFI) is a team of researchers within the Faculty of Health and Applied Social Sciences who are committed to practical, ethical and co-operative solutions to the problem of poverty and financial exclusion.
RUFI research areas include:-
- Social and financial exclusion, poverty and overindebtedness
- The dynamics and operation of low income financial market
- Credit union organisation and management (including business development, marketing, product development, entrepreneurship, human resources, accounting and finance)
- Community development and third sector financial initiatives, co-operatives, social and micro enterprises and business development within low income communities.
- The policies, practice and operation of the welfare benefit system
- Financial capability education and money advice
- Young people and financial matters
- Anti-poverty and financial inclusion strategies within urban and rural regeneration
- Community development approaches to financial inclusion
As well as undertaking research for publication in academic journals, RUFI focuses upon practical, evaluative and action-oriented research aimed at generating meaningful findings for non-technical readers. The overall aim of the Unit is to further practical knowledge and understanding that will assist in tackling poverty and promoting financial inclusion more effectively.
RUFI promotes research seminars, conferences and symposia for the benefit of academics, policy makers and practitioners.
Proposals for further research topics, projects or activities are welcome from research organisations, academics, Government and statutory agencies, community, voluntary and private sector organisations. RUFI undertakes research throughout the UK and internationally. Please contact RUFI for further information and details.
