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.
Growing Up Digital: Exploring the Risks and Benefits of Social Media with Octavia Field Reid
Using social media has become an ordinary part of growing up for many children and young people. And whilst it can help children learn, stay connected with friends and foster creativity, the risks to their wellbeing are stark, with governments left racing to find policy solutions. Is a social media ban the answer?
In the latest episode of the We Society podcast, host Will Hutton is joined by Octavia Field-Reid, Associate Director at the Ada Lovelace Institute, to discuss the Institute’s latest research, in partnership with the Nuffield Foundation, on how young people aged 14-24 experience and feel about growing up with digital technology. In a We Society podcast first, we are also joined by two of the participants who took part in the research to share their own insights into growing up in an online world, what they gained from taking part and whether they think a social media ban is the right way forward.
Perspectives on achieving good growth in the UK
Our new report draws together expert contributions from across the breadth of social science disciplines, to illustrate key opportunities and challenges in the growth agenda, while also demonstrating the breadth of social science research relevant to economic growth and the value of multi-disciplinary evidence in informing public policy.
China, the US and Europe in the era of Xi and Trump
Truth and trust: the vital role of social science in a divided world
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
Can social science protect us against global threats?
Explore our Devolution hub
Our new hub showcases evidence-led insights from social science research to offer informed perspectives on devolved and sub-national government in the UK.
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.