Welcome
to the Spring issue of Society Now, the ESRC’s regular magazine which showcases the impact of the social science we fund. This issue examines the latest findings of the
Understanding Society survey which show that couples still don’t share the housework, even when they’re both wage-earners. Experts offer their views on new approaches
to treating addictions, the initiatives taking place in cities around the world to combat the effects of climate change, and, in the build-up to the 2012 contest, what is the political significance of Eurovision for former Soviet states? IFS Director Paul Johnson looks at how the
economy might develop over the coming years and the likelihood of more deep cuts in public spending. And devolution and constitutional expert Professor Charlie Jeffery answers a range of questions about the possible implications of a ‘yes’ vote in the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence. 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
ESRC RESEARCH MAKING AN IMPACT SPRING 2012 ISSUE 12
ow SP PRING 2012 ISSUE 12
independence What if Scotland leaves the UK?
A question of
Good to share: The housework gender gap
IFS green budget: First cuts not the last
The views and statements
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the ESRC
Dance partners: Improving understanding
In this issue
REGULARS 3 News
18 The UK by numbers: Transport
20 Opinions The role of the family in preventing addictions; Urban responses to climate change
29 Information and updates People, publications, news in brief, websites and events
CONTRIBUTORS
Sarah Womack is former Social Affairs Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph
Dr Paul Jordan is an expert on the Eurovision Contest
Professor Gill Valentine, School of Geography and Dr Kahryn Hughes, School of
2 SOCIETY NOW SPRING 2012
Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds
Professor Harriet Bulkeley holds an ESRC Climate Change Leadership Fellowship
Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies
Dr Teela Sanders and Rosie Campbell, School of Sociology & Social Policy, University of Leeds
Professor Charlie Jeffery is Head of School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh
10 12 14 22
24 FEATURES
10 Chore wars Understanding Society finds that even when women are the main breadwinner, they still do more housework than their partner
12 A world of waste The Waste of the World project shows what happens to the things we throw away
14 Eurovision and the East How the Eurovision contest raises powerful issues of national identity
17 Healthy interventions Taking a social approach to young people’s health behaviours
22 More fiscal tightening ahead IFS Director Paul Johnson explains the key findings of the recent Green Budget
24 Licence to dance ESRC research improves erotic dancing licensing and working conditions
26 Voices: A question of independence Professor Charlie Jeffery explains some of the possible business, social, economic and political effects of an independent Scotland
26
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All Society Now photography © Alamy unless otherwise marked
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