The Campaign for Social Science demonstrates how social science improves public policy, society and all our lives. It highlights the value of applied social science research and advocates for its greater use in decision-making and in government.
We promote the benefits of investing in social science to deliver evidence-based solutions to the significant challenges and opportunities facing our society. The Campaign is supported by a coalition of universities, social science societies, and publishers.
Truth and Trust: The Vital Role of Social Science in a Divided World
Thursday 20 November, 6.30pm-8.30pm, London
This year’s Campaign for Social Science Annual Sage Lecture will be delivered by the Honourable Julia Gillard AC, 27th Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership.
In her lecture, Julia will share her insights on how social science can still have global impact in an era of political polarisation and widespread misinformation, public scepticism, political interference, and funding reductions. Yuan Yang, the Labour MP for Earley and Woodley, and Stian Westlake FAcSS, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), will also share their own thoughts on the vital role of social science in our increasingly divided world.
Achieving Good Growth
Our 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.
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.
Watch: How to address inequalities as part of ‘good growth’
Chaired by Professor Bobby Duffy FAcSS, this webinar featured short presentations by Professor Heejung Chung, Professor Katherine Smith FAcSS and Professor Matthew Johnson FAcSS who all gave their perspectives on how the how the UK can address inequalities as part of ‘good growth’. Paul Johnson FAcSS, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, provided his reflections in response.
Reimagining the recipe for research and innovation: the secret sauce of social science
Our new report emphasises the vitally important, yet often poorly-understood, role of the social sciences to the UK’s current research, development and innovation system, and outlines four key ingredients that the social sciences contribute to enable world-leading and future-focused UK research.
Election 24: ideas for change based on social science evidence
This Campaign for Social Science project foregrounded social science perspectives, research and evidence relevant to public policy in the run up to a UK General Election in 2024. Drawing on the expertise of distinguished social scientists, the Election 24 project aimed to identify positive and constructive policy suggestions on many key policy areas
Life, health and wellbeing: the transformative potential of interdisciplinary social science
In this guest feature, Dr Paul Meller, Wellcome Trust, discusses how research within the social sciences and in exciting new combinations with other fields such as STEM offers huge potential to transform our understanding of life, health and wellbeing.