Zurich and Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and Environment

The objective of the Agile Protection research program is threefold:

1. to understand the economic and social drivers behind the need for a new social protection framework;
2. to gather new empirical data, both on employers' perspectives on the challenges of providing flexible protection and on individuals' behavioral tendencies that influence their insurance purchasing decisions, in order to inform solutions;
3. to recommend steps towards designing and implementing a new social protection framework by drawing on the findings of these first two areas of inquiry. This series of recommendations aims to improve financial protection for individuals – including those in non-traditional employment. Recommendations will be directed towards governments, employers, insurers and other financial institutions and intermediaries, as well as individuals and households.

SSEE, part of the University of Oxford, is a leading interdisciplinary academic hub focused on teaching, research and engagement with enterprise on climate change, sustainable finance and long-term sustainability. It works with social enterprises, corporations and governments on innovative solutions to the challenges facing humanity over the coming decades. 

Oxford Smith’s focus on pensions and retirement savings stems from its focus on long term decision making, an area in which it is a leading expert. Oxford Smith sees a strong link between long term financial decision making and decisions about other global challenges such as environmental sustainability.