Blog

 2012 posts 

Celebrating the social sciences

The flagship event of the 2011 Festival of Social Science showcased the impacts of social science research to an audience of over 100 senior academics and policymakers.  Guest speakers David Willetts MP, Minister for Science and Universities, and Mark Easton, BBC News Home Editor, highlighted the impacts and the contribution of UK social sciences to the UK and internationally.

Accompanying this event were a booklet and video, both entitled 'Celebrating the social sciences'.  The booklet showcases 19 case studies of research making a difference across all sectors of society and the the video highlights eight case studies - ranging from military operations in Afghanistan and changing prison practices to reducing firesetting of grasslands and helping young people become more resilient.  Both are available to view/download from the ESRC website.  (15 February 2012)


ESPA videos

The Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation Programme (ESPA) hosts a number of short videos on its website.   Among these are a whiteboard seminar about the relationship between ecosystem services and human wellbeing, as well as an animation about green economy - narrated by Sir David Attenborough.  The ESPA video page has full details of these and other short videos which may be of use in your classroom.  (8 February 2012)


CensusAtSchool

CensusAtSchool is a not for profit project targetted at encouraging the use of datasets in the classroom.  The site is packed full of datasets and resources, covering topics from Citizenship to Science, Data Handling to Probability.  Here in the Social Science for Schools team we're busy working on two new resources covering Data and Methodologies (both due to be published by the end of January), and we think the CensusAtSchool website will compliment them. (16 January 2012)



Google Science Fair 2012

The Google Science Fair is an annual competition inviting the brightest young scientists from around the world to enter their ideas and science projects to be in for a chance to win a trip to the Galapagos Islands, among other exciting prizes.  The Google Science Fair website holds all the competition details for young people, as well as a fantastic "For Educators" page containing resources and lesson plans for you to help your students get involved.  (12 January 2012)


2011 posts

ESRC evidence briefing: Child development and social mobility

The ESRC has recently published a longitudinal studies evidence briefing, which focuses on child development and social mobility.  The briefing highlights the benefits of data collected over number of years in informing and shaping policies relating to child development and social mobility.

This is one of a number of evidence briefings available on the ESRC website, which may be of use in your classroom, or when planning your lessons. (2011)



ESRC Feature: Into the debts

The struggling Eurozone has highlighted the problem of member states such as Italy and Spain running up large debts. A research paper from the Centre for Economic Performance argues that the European Central Bank should have the power to supervise national monetary policy.

Another CEP paper looked at the pros and cons of a currency union such as the Eurozone – without finding “significant effects” on trade.

These two papers are among several referenced in our ESRC Feature, “Into the debts”, a piece covering the Euro, the market and the research. The full feature can be found on our website. (2011)



ESRC Feature: Riots and rationality

This week’s rioting across the UK has provoked shocked reactions from victims and residents.  Yesterday, ESRC posted a feature about riots and rationality, calling on research by Professor Waddington of Sheffield Hallam University.

Nineteenth-century academics suggested that a “group mind” of a rioting mob can explain collective violence, but Professor Waddington rejects this theory: “There is this view that when people are in crowds, they are suddenly enveloped by the red mist. This kind of perspective is actually very unhelpful, not least to the police themselves.”

For the full feature, please view the ESRC website.(2011)



ESRC Feature: This office may cause your brain to shrink

The lead researcher on ESRC research project The individual in the group: social identity and the dynamics of change has appeared in the Channel 4 series The Secret Life of Buildings, emphasising how a personal work space, enriched with pictures and plants can improve performance.

Many organisations prefer uniform uncluttered and sterile environments, but the experiments have shown that employees respond better in environments they can engage with.

The full ESRC feature can be found on our website.(2011)



ESRC Feature: Making a happy society

We have recently posted a feature to our ESRC website about making a happy society.  The feature references findings from ESRC funded research project, Wellbeing and Economics, in which Professor Andrew Oswald examined the factors that determine wellbeing and how it affects other areas.
The feature and its associated links can be found at: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/impacts-and-findings/features-casestudies/features/16026/making-a-happy-society.aspx

This feature ties in well with our resource on Happiness: http://www.socialscienceforschools.org.uk/resources/Happiness.aspx.(2011)



ESRC Feature: A-level results and B-level coverage

Media coverage of A-level results has escalated in recent years, feeding the predictable debate about the quality of education.  The ESRC funded research project News Media Depiction of A Level and GCSE Results in 2003, found that the pattern of results does not affect the coverage that results receive. 

The researchers noted “Such is the prominence given to coverage of the A-Level results that casual observers might not register that, in fact, only a third of pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland take the exam”.  In comparison, GCSE results received significantly less media attention. 

The full feature is available to view on the ESRC website.