News Release

ESRC Festival of Social Science 2008

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Economic & Social Research Council

Social science plays an important part in all our lives. It shows that science is not just test tubes and technology but involves people and society too. It helps us to make sense of the key issues in the changing world around us such as the implications of climate change, nuclear power or nanotechnology; or the implications of social issues such as ageing , immigration and population change.

Running from Friday 7th March to Sunday 16th March the ESRC Festival of Social Science, organised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), will celebrate some of the very best British social science research, highlighting the ways in which it makes a difference to all our lives.

More than 30 UK towns and cities, from Aberdeen to Bognor Regis and Belfast to Cardiff, are hosting events during the Festival. Over 90 events are being organised during the Festival ranging from conferences to workshops and debates, exhibitions, film screenings, policy briefings and much more. Plus if you can’t make it, there are even virtual events with one taking place in Second Life.

Whether it’s school children tramping through the Peak District on a ‘Moorland Walk’ or getting to grips with why economic is important; finding out how you could save money on your energy bills or exploring the impact of Alzheimer’s, this Festival has something to capture everyone’s interest.

Broadly speaking, social scientists study society, how we behave and our impact on the world around us.

Professor Ian Diamond, Chief Executive of the Economic and Social Research Council points out that: “We fund world class social scientists to deliver the highest quality research on the most pressing economic and social issues that we face. Some of our researchers are tackling problems close to home such as poverty, health, education and crime. Others are addressing key conundrums on the global stage – intractable issues such as the environment, terrorism, sustainability and the world’s poor. But, whether close to home or further afield, our aim is to fund research that makes a tangible difference to people’s lives.”

The events during the Festival will touch on many issues affecting Britain today such as:

  • Global uncertainties – assessing the impact of global challenges such as security, poverty, and environmental degradation
  • Street fictions and realities: childhood experiences on film
  • Learning with your children
  • Does the UK need nuclear power"
  • Food for the future – is organic enough"
  • It’s my future: being deaf in 2018
  • Imagine this: living with dementia
  • Choosing the best energy deal for you
  • Siblings: the significance of brothers and sisters
  • Building a better partner: public services and social enterprise
  • The future of low wage work in Europe

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Further information on the full range of events can be found at: www.esrcfestival.ac.uk

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

ESRC Press Office:
Kelly Barnett on Tel: 01793 413032; e-mail: kelly.barnett@esrc.ac.uk
Danielle Moore on Tel: 01793 4133122; e-mail: danielle.moore@esrc.ac.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues. It provides independent, high quality, relevant research to business, the public sector and Government. The ESRC’s planned total expenditure in 2007/8 is £181 million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and research policy institutes. More at http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk

2. The Festival of Social Science is organised by the Economic and Social Research Council, and runs from March 7th to 16th, alongside National Science and Engineering Week. It celebrates some of the very best British social science research, as well as highlighting the ways in which social science makes a difference to everyday lives. Press releases detailing some of the varied events are available at www.esrcfestival.ac.uk or for more information please contact the ESRC Press Office on 01793 413032 or via e-mail kelly.barnett@esrc.ac.uk

3. ESRC Society Today offers free access to a broad range of social science research and presents it in a way that makes it easy to navigate and saves users valuable time. As well as bringing together all ESRC-funded research and key online resources such as the Social Science Information Gateway and the UK Data Archive, non-ESRC resources are included, for example the Office for National Statistics. The portal provides access to early findings and research summaries, as well as full texts and original datasets through integrated search facilities. More at http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk


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