ESRC

ESRC
Name	Economic and Social Research Council
Founded	1965
Headquarters	Polaris House, Swindon, United Kingdom
Parent organisation	UK Research and Innovation
Chief executive	Professor Stian Westlake

ESRC. The Economic and Social Research Council is the United Kingdom's primary public body for funding and supporting research and training in the social sciences. It is one of seven constituent councils of UK Research and Innovation, operating under the auspices of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The council's mission is to advance the social sciences to produce world-class research with significant economic and societal impact, informing public policy and addressing global challenges.

Overview

The ESRC supports a vast portfolio of research across the full spectrum of the social sciences, including disciplines such as economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and human geography. Its work is integral to understanding and addressing complex issues like social inequality, climate change, public health, and technological innovation. The council funds individual researchers, major research centres, and large-scale longitudinal studies, such as the renowned British Household Panel Survey. Through its investments, the ESRC aims to maintain the UK's position as a global leader in social science research, contributing to evidence-based decision-making in Whitehall, the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd, and beyond.

History

The ESRC was established in 1965 by Royal Charter, originally under the name the Social Science Research Council. Its creation followed the recommendations of the Heyworth Committee, which was appointed by the Wilson government to review the state of social science research in the UK. In 1983, the council was renamed the Economic and Social Research Council to better reflect its broadened remit. A significant milestone in its history was its incorporation into the new overarching body, UK Research and Innovation, in 2018, as part of a wider reform of the UK's research and innovation landscape initiated by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017. This move aligned it with other research councils like the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Research funding and programmes

The council administers a diverse range of funding schemes, from responsive-mode grants for early-career researchers to strategic investments in large interdisciplinary programmes. Notable initiatives include the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, the What Works Centres, and the Longitudinal Studies Centre – Scotland. It places a strong emphasis on doctoral training, primarily through its network of Doctoral Training Partnerships across universities like the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the London School of Economics. The ESRC also co-funds major international studies, such as the European Social Survey, and supports data infrastructure through the UK Data Service, which provides access to key datasets for researchers globally.

Governance and structure

The ESRC is governed by a Council, appointed by UK Research and Innovation, which sets its strategic direction and oversees its operations. Day-to-day management is led by the Chief Executive, a position held by Professor Stian Westlake. The council's head office is located in Polaris House in Swindon, alongside other research councils. Its strategic advisory network includes numerous committees and boards, such as the Research Committee and the Training and Skills Committee, which involve leading academics from institutions like the University of Manchester and University College London. This structure ensures that funding decisions are informed by expert peer review and align with national priorities.

Impact and evaluation

Evaluating the impact of social science research is a core priority. The ESRC utilizes the Research Excellence Framework to assess the quality and societal benefits of the work it funds. It actively promotes knowledge exchange through initiatives like the ESRC Festival of Social Science and partnerships with policymakers in HM Treasury, the Department for Education, and the National Health Service. The council's research has directly influenced significant policy areas, including welfare reform, educational attainment, and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Its commitment to impact is further demonstrated by its support for the International Public Policy Observatory.

Collaborations and partnerships

The ESRC actively fosters collaborations across disciplinary and national boundaries. It works closely with other UK research councils on cross-cutting challenges, such as the Global Challenges Research Fund and the Strategic Priorities Fund. Internationally, it partners with major funding bodies like the National Science Foundation in the United States, the European Commission through Horizon Europe, and the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science. Within the UK, it maintains strong links with the British Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and innovation bodies like Innovate UK. These partnerships amplify the reach and relevance of the social sciences in tackling global issues.

Category:Research organisations in the United Kingdom Category:Science and technology in the United Kingdom Category:1965 establishments in the United Kingdom