Welcome


to the Spring issue of Society Now, the ESRC’s regular magazine which showcases the impact of the social science research we fund. This issue our main feature looks at the


impact of floods and how we create flood-resilient landscape and infrastructure. Should politicians or the people take responsibility? With fiscal consolidation continuing through


to 2018-19 what will the Chancellor do to reduce the deficit and what will the impact be on us? Almost two years after the 2012 London Olympics we look at the insights academics are gaining into the legacy of the games. The Scottish government has set out its vision of independence in its White Paper Scotland’s Future. Dr Nicola McEwen examines the proposals.


And Professor Anand Menon, research co-


ordinator for the ESRC initiative on ‘The UK in a Changing Europe’, looks at the implications of a referendum on EU membership and what we stand to lose or gain if we leave the EU. I hope you find the magazine enjoyable and informative.


Nick Stevens, Editor - nick.stevens@esrc.ac.uk Society ESRC RESEARCH MAKING AN IMPACT


ESRCRESEARCHMAK SPRING 2014 ISSUE 18


ow


Stemming the tide The challenges of a


changing climate


2012 legacy: What did the Olympics do for us?


Where do I belong?: The winning photographs


The views and statements


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


Voices: The UK’s future relationship with the EU


In this issue


REGULARS 3 News


14 Opinions Professor Michael Power examines risk culture in financial institutions; Dr Mike Thomas discusses the impact of civil partnerships.


20 The UK by numbers: Housing


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


CONTRIBUTORS


Sarah Womack is the former Social Affairs Correspondent and Political Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph


Professor Michael Power is Director of the Centre for the Analysis of Risk and Regulation (CARR) at the LSE


2 SOCIETY NOW SPRING 2014


Dr Mike Thomas is Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Kent


Aaron Boardley is an ESRC Communications Officer


Dr Nicola McEwen is Associate Director of the ESRC Scottish Centre on


Constitutional Change and ESRC Senior Scotland Fellow


Anand Menon is Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King’s College London, and research co-ordinator for the ESRC initiative on ‘The UK in a Changing Europe’


22 FEATURES


10 Waterworld How do we manage our environment, deal with flooding and build a resilient infrastructure?


13 The long road ahead The IFS Green Budget outlined the tough challenge of reducing the deficit.


16 Where do I belong? The ESRC’s photographic competition challenges young people to take a picture of where they feel they belong.


18 Olympic impact How can we better understand the successes, challenges and impacts of mega events like the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics?


22 Towards independence Dr Nicola McEwen, Associate Director of the ESRC Scottish Centre on Constitutional Change, analyses the Scottish Government’s White Paper Scotland’s Future.


26 Voices: Choosing wisely Professor Anand Menon discusses the UK’s relationship with the EU and possible outcomes of a referendum on membership.


26 10 13 16 18


PLUS


Society Now HOUSING


BY NUMBERS


All Society Now photography © Alamy unless otherwise marked


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