Welcome


to the Winter issue of Society Now, the ESRC’s regular magazine which showcases the impact of the social science research we fund. This issue examines a recent Institute


for Fiscal Studies (IFS) report on the wealth generation gap between today’s young adults and their parents. We talk to Professor Jennifer Rubin, ESRC’s


new Chief Executive and Executive Chair Designate, about her background and goals for the organisation. Features include a look at the role of social science in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, and an interview with Professor Ken Gibb, Director of CaCHE, a major new research centre on housing. Members of the ESRC Party Members Project examine who joins political parties, why they join and their opinions on key issues. And Professor Helen Ball of Durham


University’s Parent-Infant Sleep Lab explains their work on perceptions of infant sleep and how parents manage night-time infant care. Finally, please turn to page 32 to see why new


data protection legislation means you need to resubscribe to Society Now if you want to continue receiving the magazine. And how you can do it.


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


RCRESEARCH MAKING AN IMPACT WINTER 2018 ISSUE 30


ow


It’s my party Who joins political


parties and why?


AMR: The role of social science in the fi ght


Wealth gap: Differences between generations


The views and statements


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


Voices: How social science can help address global problems


In this issue


REGULARS 3 News


17 Opinion Most of us have to travel to our place of work. Dr Kiron Chatterjee investigates how and why commuting affects job satisfaction and our overall wellbeing.


20 The UK by numbers: Creative industries


33 News, people and publications CONTRIBUTORS


Tim Bale, Paul Webb and Monica Poletti run the Party Members Project (PMP)


Helen Ball is Professor in the Department of Anthropology and member of the Sleep Lab at Durham University


Kiron Chatterjee is Associate Professor in Travel Behaviour at the University of the West of England, Bristol


Arild Foss is ESRC writer/ editor and Communications Manager


2 SOCIETY NOW WINTER 2018


Mark Gardner is ESRC Press Manager


Andrew Hood is a Senior Research Economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies


Martin Ince is a freelance science writer, media adviser and media trainer


FEATURES


10 Tackling antimicrobial resistance Putting social and behavioural issues at the forefront of the fight against antimicrobial resistance.


14 It’s my party Who joins political parties, why do they join and what are their opinions on key issues?


18 The infant sleep myth How research on infant sleep and night-time infant care is making a difference to parents and their children.


22 Voices: Research into action Professor Jennifer Rubin, ESRC’s new Chief Executive and Executive Chair Designate, explains how social science can help address global problems to improve outcomes.


28 The generation gap Declining property wealth and less generous private pensions mean that today’s young adults will struggle to be as well-off as their parents.


30 A broken housing system? The UK housing market: ever-increasing house prices, first-time buyers left behind and renters struggling with soaring housing costs.


28 30 10 14 18 22


PLUS


Society Now CREATIVE


INDUST STRIES BY NUMBERS


All Society Now photography © Alamy unless otherwise marked


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