Promoting understanding of our contemporary human world
We are the national academy of academics, practitioners and learned societies in social science. The sector’s leading independent voice in the UK, we champion the vital role social sciences play in education, government and business.
Care or Incarceration? How some of the UK’s most vulnerable children are being failed with Lisa Harker
Content warning: This podcast episode covers themes of suicide.
According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Justice, 1,280 children were subject to applications to deprive them of their liberty in 2024 in England and Wales. In the latest episode of the We Society podcast, Lisa Harker, Director of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, joins host Will Hutton to discuss what we know about these children, the reasons behind the sharp rise in cases, and what an alternative approach might look like.
Achieving Good Growth
The Campaign for Social Science’s new hub showcases research and evidence-based insights from the social sciences which might make it possible for the UK to achieve growth that is fair, inclusive, carefully targeted, and environmentally sustainable.
Taking "mission-oriented" growth seriously: advice for the UK Government | AcSS 2025 Annual Lecture
All change! 2024 - a year of elections | Campaign for Social Science Annual Sage Lecture 2024
Forging a 'We Society': How the social sciences can shape Britain's future | AcSS 2024 Annual Lecture
Transport: bridging the gap between research evidence and political/public action
Can social science protect us against global threats?
You're either protecting humanity or hurting it
Education, education, education
It takes a village to raise a child
The UK is a stagnation nation
Market forces won't solve climate change
Cities are our future
We must do better for the next pandemic
Military defeat happens gradually then suddenly
You can't build a plan around Armageddon
Going to the moon and back
They're stoking people's fears, rather than providing hope
Beyond the ballot: social science insights on eight key policy challenges
Our new report showcases a breadth of social science-based research, ideas and evidence relevant to addressing some of the country’s political and social challenges, many of which are relevant to the UK Government’s policy agenda.
Spotlight On
Latest projects, publications, commentary and activities happening across the Academy and Campaign.
Latest News
View allThe latest news and activities from the Academy and the world of social science research and policy
Discover our Campaign
The Campaign for Social Science demonstrates how social science improves public policy, society and all our lives. Discover more about its activities and supporters and find out how you can get involved.
Our Impact
Striving for successful outcomes and impact underpins all our work. Our impact influences how well social sciences are understood, flourish in academia, and used beyond. Ultimately this enhances decision-making, society and social science.
Our work to ‘promote social science in the UK for public benefit’ is guided by our strategy. We inform and advocate to enhance and safeguard social science; we showcase its importance and use; we facilitate knowledge exchange to policy on issues of national importance; we foster multi-disciplinary approaches and innovation.
We inspire diverse future generations of students; and we recognise excellence, convene and connect individuals and organisations. In short, we are a strong independent voice for social science and we champion its many applications in creating a better society.
Our human world is changing rapidly. Many of the great challenges we face are caused by humans and their solutions rest with humans. The list is long, from population demographics, climate change and sustainability, to COVID-19, levelling-up, social inclusion, and much more.
It is vital that we understand the dynamics, interactions, and what works in managing societal challenges. It is equally as vital that we have informed citizens. Social science with its analysis and understanding of society, economy, people and place is fundamental to both and to a sustainable, stable and more equitable future.
The Academy draws on the expertise of 1500 Fellows for knowledge and inspiration. It works collaboratively with 48 Member Social Science Societies each representing a discipline, sub-discipline or interdisciplinary area. This is a powerful collective voice for social science and an influential network and resource.
As a charity we are governed by an elected Council of Fellows, advised by four expert committees, and core funded by member subscriptions and Campaign sponsorship.