Welcome to the Summer issue of Society Now,


the ESRC’s regular magazine which showcases the research we fund and the impact of social science. This issue takes a look at both global and decidedly local issues. Our main feature examines the Arab Spring – the unprecedented sequence of events in the Middle East that brought people onto the streets in their thousands, toppled regimes and forced dictators to promise reform. We talk to Simon Burgess, Director of the


ESRC Centre for Market and Public Organisation about how the centre’s research contributes to public debate. Features look at the UK National Ecosystem Assessment and a project exploring the heritage of the South Wales copper industry. And experts examine why sustainability clashes with our lifestyles, investigate the barriers to small business growth and show how innovation is thriving in the UK in non-traditional areas and industries. I hope you find the magazine enjoyable and informative. Please do email us with your feedback or ideas for content.


Nick Stevens, Editor - nick.stevens@esrc.ac.uk Society


SUMMER 2011 ISSUE 10 ESRC RESEARCH MAKING AN IMPACT


ow


How political theory underestimated the power of the people


Arab Spring


Discovering Copperopolis: An industrial past revisited


Valuing nature: The real worth of the outdoors


The views and statements


expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the ESRC


Carbon complexity: Can we live sustainably?


10 13 14 22


24 In this issue...


REGULARS 3 News


16 Opinions Raising school attainment to increase social mobility; exploiting the digital deluge


18 The UK by numbers: Education


29 Information and updates People, publications, news in brief, websites and events


CONTRIBUTORS


Tim Jackson Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Surrey and Director of the ESRC Research Group on Lifestyles, Values and Environment (RESOLVE)


David De Roure Professor of Computer Science in the


2 SOCIETY NOW SUMMER 2011


School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. National Strategic Director for e-Social Science, Chair of OMII-UK and Co-Director of e-Research South


Lindsey MacMillan Post-Graduate Research


Assistant at the ESRC Centre for Market and Public Organisation


Andy Cosh Programme Director for Enterprise and Innovation and Assistant Director of the ESRC Centre for Business Research at the University of Cambridge


FEATURES


10 After the Spring The Arab Spring has shown that a grass roots uprising from the people is much more powerful than any policies from abroad


14 The low-carbon dream Professor Tim Jackson argues that we need to better understand the link between our lifestyles and the environment


20 Innovation and the credit crunch How reduced demand and a credit squeeze are affecting SMEs


22 Valuing nature New research shows the real worth of Britain’s outdoor spaces


24 Voices: Where research meets policy Simon Burgess talks about the importance of education and how research contributes to public debate


26 Discovering Copperopolis The ESRC-funded Copper Project examines how the South Wales copper industry lives on in its landscape, buildings and people


26


Copper project cover and contents images © Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales/Tom Goskar


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