The role of social networks and geographical locationin labour market participation in the UK coalfields.

The demise of the coalmining industry has entailed an increased geographical separation ofindividuals from workplaces, highlighting the importance of understanding the spatial dimensionof job search for those living in the coalfields. There has been an increasing interest among labourmarket researchers on the role of place and social networks in influencing labour market behaviour. Agrowing body of literature focuses on the importance of social networks in shaping people's attitudes,behaviour, and decision makingöin particular, the links between people's social sphere and thenature and extent of their participation in the labour market. We aim to examine the area effects ofsocial networks and how these affect labour market position. We will draw on material gatheredfrom a Joseph Rowntree Foundation funded project on the economic, social, and governance linksbetween coalfields and their neighbouring cities. Part of this research was composed of eighty-fiveinterviews carried out with unemployed job seekers across three contrasting coalfields (Lothian,South Yorkshire, and the central Wales valleys). We will focus in particular on the issues of accessingof South Wales jobs, knowledge and experience of the spatial labour market, and the role of socialnetworks in influencing job search and job knowledge