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News briefs


THE LONGLASTING BENEFITS OF LONGITUDINAL STUDIES Introduced by the Rt Hon David Willetts MP, the ESRC/ONS Longitudinal Studies Seminar on 19 July provided press and policymakers with a better understanding of longitudinal studies and administrative datasets, and their use in a wide range of policy areas, such as wellbeing, social mobility and employment. Introducing the seminar David


Willetts said: “What we are doing today is celebrating and recognising the importance of evidence-based policy ...recognising that quantitative social science can provide a key input to evidence-based policy, and that we can be very proud of what we’ve already got in Britain by way


MAPPING THE ENERGY RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT MADE EASIER The UK energy research scene is now easier to navigate thanks to the UK Energy Research Centre’s online Research Atlas launched in May. Energy research covers many areas; from fuel cells, wind energy and bioenergy to carbon capture, smart grids and nuclear.


Linking up all these areas to find out where research is being carried out is complex and with so many agencies involved in research and funding, it is easy to miss something crucial. The Research Atlas is now fully searchable, providing a definitive information resource for researchers and policymakers from industry, NGOs, universities and government, both in the UK and internationally.


QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS The following people were recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours: Professor Peter Elias, Strategic Advisor for Data Resources, and Professor Christopher Hood, Director of the Public Services Programme, were awarded CBEs for services to social science. ESRC Council member Dr Justin Davis Smith was awarded a CBE for


of quantitative social science. But we need to continue to invest in it and support it.”


In his presentation, Professor Paul


Boyle, ESRC Chief Executive, said: “Longitudinal studies are the jewels in the crown for the ESRC – they provide the bedrock of research evidence, making it possible to map how society evolves and identify areas where policy intervention can improve our lives.”


ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS The ESRC’s Annual Report was published and laid before Parliament on 14 July. The report provides information on the ESRC’s activities during the previous financial year, including an analysis of our research and training expenditure, and our research portfolio.


services to the voluntary sector. Professor Ron Johnston at the Centre for Market and Public Organisation and John Loughhead, Executive Director of the UK Energy Research Centre, were awarded OBEs for services to scholarship and technology, respectively.


ESRC COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS The following members have been appointed to the ESRC council: Dr Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive of Volunteering England and Professor Simon Collinson, Warwick Business School, have been appointed for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2014.


Professor Stuart Croft, Warwick University and Professor Glynis Breakwell, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath, have been appointed for the period 1 August 2011 to 31 July 2014.


UK PSYCHOLOGY: INTERNATIONAL BENCHMARKING REVIEW The fifth in a series of ESRC- sponsored assessments covering major social science disciplines in the UK was recently published. A Steering Group comprising prominent UK academics, research users and


As well as the ESRC’s full accounts for the year the Annual Report includes a review of the year from the Chair and Chief Executive, outstanding features of the year and facts and figures at a glance. www.esrc. ac.uk/publications/annual-report/index.aspx


shaping society


Economic and Social Research Council Annual Report and Accounts 2010/2011


sustainable growth


fair society


economic performance


vibrant society


influencing behaviour


informing interventions


funders oversaw the review and the report’s recommendations will be considered fully with an action plan to be published later this year. For more information visit www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and- guidance/tools-and-resources/impact-evaluation/ international-benchmarking.aspx


WORKING MOTHERS AND THE EFFECTS ON CHILDREN A new study funded by the ESRC on maternal employment and child socio-emotional behaviour in the UK shows that there are no significant detrimental effects on a child’s social or emotional development if their mothers work during their early years. Using data from the UK


Millennium Cohort Study, the researchers discovered that the relationship between behavioural difficulties and employment of the mother was stronger for girls than for boys and that this was not explained by household income, level of mother’s education or depression in the mother. The study was carried out by


Dr Anne McMunn and researchers from the International Centre for Lifecourse Studies in Society and Health, UCL. For more information, visit www.ucl.ac.uk/icls


SUMMER 2011 SOCIETY NOW 29


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