TRAILS at the 9th European User Conference for EU-Microdata

06/05/2025

The TRAILS project was pleased to take part in the 9th European User Conference for EU-Microdata, held at the University of Mannheim, Germany, from 6–7 March 2025. Organised by the German Microdata Lab at GESIS in cooperation with Eurostat, the event provided an important international platform for researchers working with EU-Microdata sources to exchange findings, discuss methodological approaches, and provide direct feedback to Eurostat.

This year’s conference once again brought together a diverse research community engaged in exploring key social and economic issues through the use of harmonised European microdata. The event served as an excellent opportunity to highlight the relevance of microdata for policy-oriented research, particularly in the areas of employment, education, and inclusion.

TRAILS was represented by Mrs Vasiliki Kotsirou (Democritus University of Thrace), who presented a paper titled “Post-pandemic changes in education and training of senior adults”, co-authored with Mr Ioannis Pragidis. Their presentation drew upon research conducted under TRAILS work focused on Data Management and Survey Design, specifically Deliverable D2.3 – QUESTION III: Design of Interventions and Experimental Protocols.

The study focused on two central themes:

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on participation in formal online education, with a particular focus on older adults, and
• The key factors influencing individuals’ willingness to engage in education and training opportunities.

By analysing data from the Adult Education Survey (AES), the team aimed to improve the design of nudge-based interventions proposed within TRAILS and to refine their experimental protocols. Their work sparked meaningful dialogue during the session, especially in relation to the evolving landscape of adult learning in Europe.

More broadly, the conference featured presentations on a range of pressing topics, including:

• Labour market resilience post-COVID,
• Adult learning and upskilling,
• Gender and income inequality,
• Energy poverty, and
• Advances in the use of large-scale microdata.

These discussions reinforced the vital role of high-quality, harmonised data in informing evidence-based policymaking across Europe.

TRAILS’ participation in this event not only strengthened the project’s visibility among an expert audience, but also facilitated new connections with researchers and institutions involved in complementary initiatives. These exchanges are essential to fostering cross-project learning and ensuring that TRAILS remains aligned with the broader research and policy agenda on inclusive and future-ready education systems.

Our contribution to the 9th European User Conference for EU-Microdata reflects the TRAILS commitment to advancing adult learning through rigorous research, innovative methodologies, and collaborative dialogue.