Academy and Campaign Events – Academy of Social Sciences

Building resilient rural communities: is there a looming rural mental health crisis?

Theresa Flach — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:17:23 +0000

If the UK wants to retain resilient food and farming systems, which can deal with the demands of a changing climate and technological innovation, we need farming communities and rural communities which are healthy and sustainable. A steep rise in mental health problems within rural parts of the country, exacerbated by reduced access to support services, could be the biggest barrier. Our panel will unpack these challenges and identify the policy solutions which need to be put in place. This free joint event with the University of Exeter will see contributions from farmer and former NFU President Minette Batters (event chair), Professor Matt Lobley and Dr Rebecca Wheeler of the University of Exeter, and farmer, consultant and Farming Community Network (FCN) volunteer Christine Malseed. Event attendees are invited to join a panel discussion, followed by audience Q&A and a networking drinks reception.

(Re)building trust in the police

Theresa Flach — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 13:04:41 +0000

Many Western nations are experiencing chronically low levels of citizen trust in public institutions, including our police. In a UK context, several recent high-profile stories have damaged the public’s relationship with and perception of law enforcement. The police themselves, meanwhile, face the same funding restrictions as other critical public services and are having to rely more and more on technology to fulfil their role, often at the expense of relationship-building. In this webinar, our speakers, Dr Rick Muir of The Police Foundation (chair), Professor Jyoti Belur of UCL and Professor Martin Innes FAcSS of the Security, Crime & Intelligence Innovation Institute at Cardiff University, will examine some of these challenges and identify potential solutions for policymakers.

A new dawn?

Theresa Flach — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 08:31:30 +0000

The morning after election day, conference delegates are invited to join a panel for bacon rolls and strong coffee to examine what the likely new government (whatever its political hue) might prioritise in its social policies, and how social scientists can contribute towards evidence-based policymaking. This is a joint event between the Social Policy Association, the University of Strathclyde and the Academy of Social Sciences, which we will seek to record for later viewing by a wider audience. The event features contributions from Professor Ian Rivers FAcSS (event chair) and Professor Katherine Smith FAcSS of the University of Strathclyde, Professor Heejung Chung of King’s College London and Professor Matthew Johnson FAcSS of Northumbria University.

Transport: bridging the gap between research evidence and political/public action

Theresa Flach — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:09:59 +0000

There is clear research evidence that reducing car travel delivers benefits to the climate and to public health – but there is political and public caution and scepticism. How can policymakers understand and shape public opinion to deliver the potential carbon, health and social benefits that can come from reduced car use? And what needs to happen at a population and at an individual level? This webinar features contributions from Professor Charles Musselwhite of the Research Centre for Transport and Mobility (CeTrAM) at Aberystwyth University, Dr Siobhan Campbell FAcSS of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and Professor Iain Docherty FAcSS of the University of Stirling. It will be chaired by Dr Matthew Niblett of the Independent Transport Commission.

Housing: is anywhere in the UK getting it right?

Theresa Flach — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 12:52:00 +0000

Focusing on topics such as social housing issues, London’s massively overheated housing market, and second-home owners pushing out locals in areas like Cornwall or the Welsh coast, this session asks whether there is good practice that could be followed in the different nations and regions of the UK, and what national measures a new UK Government should take. The webinar features contributions from Polly Neate CBE FAcSS LLD(hc), Professor Glen Bramley FAcSS, and Professor Nick Gallent FAcSS. It will be chaired by Gavin Smart FAcSS of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

This event is part of Election 24: Ideas for change based on social science evidence, a Campaign for Social Science project which draws on a range of social science research to suggest evidence-based social policy directions ahead of a UK general election in 2024.

Election 24: What’s at Stake for Wales?

amy.williams — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 09:19:50 +0000

With 2024 confirmed as a general election year, this event will see representatives from Welsh Labour, the Welsh Conservatives, and Plaid Cymru set out their priorities for Wales and respond to questions posed by social science researchers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask their own questions. In partnership with Swansea University.

Can we achieve a more equal North East?

Theresa Flach — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 09:12:58 +0000

The UK ranks among the most unequal countries in Europe, with inequalities in wealth and health particularly pronounced – and rising – in the North East of England. Posing the question of whether we can achieve a more equal North East, this event brings together distinguished social scientists and practitioners, and political representatives.

Priorities for action on AI: what does the social science evidence say?

amy.williams — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:00:34 +0000

In this webinar, in partnership with Sense about Science, Professor Kaska Porayska-Pomsta, Professor Fraser Sampson and Tracey Brown OBE will discuss on AI regulation and security, including what the most pressing considerations for the incoming government are, how persuaded (and persuadable) the public are about the merits of AI, and how technology can be adopted in socially equitable ways.

Behaviour change and the climate emergency: policy choices to drive social action

amy.williams — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:00:19 +0000

In this webinar in partnership with the ACCESS network, Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh will outline how behavioural science can inform efforts to engage the public with climate change, and how policy choices can drive social action to achieve net zero. Chaired by Professor Birgitta Gatersleben.

The rise and fall of anti-welfare attitudes, and what it means for welfare reform in 2024 and beyond

amy.williams — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 08:00:57 +0000

What do the public think about taxation and welfare? Drawing on the British Social Attitudes Survey, this webinar with Sir John Curtice and Professor Ben Baumberg Geiger examines whether voters want to see a rise or a fall in taxation, what it would mean for public spending and welfare, and how those attitudes map onto the parties’ positions.

The Inequality of Wealth. Why it matters and how to fix it.

amy.williams — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 12:51:55 +0000

Honorary Professor Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP reflects on the findings of his upcoming book and discusses a bold plan to renew one of the oldest ideas in British politics: the wealth-owning democracy.

EDHIT Research Conference – Gender & Eating Disorders

Steve Grundy — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:41:43 +0000

The Campaign for Social Science is supporting UWE Bristol’s EDHIT Research Conference – Gender & Eating Disorders. This online event is a great opportunity to learn about the latest important research on eating disorders amongst under-represented and minoritized groups.

Political ‘Realism’ in an Election Year – Campaign for Social Science Annual Sage Lecture 2023

amy.williams — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:17:21 +0000

This year’s lecture will be delivered by Gary Younge FAcSS, author, broadcaster, and Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester.

Dathlu Lles Gydol Oes yng Nghymru / Celebrating Lifelong Wellbeing in Wales

amy.williams — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 10:09:59 +0000

In this event, experts from Cardiff University, Swansea University and Bangor University offer thought-provoking research insights to demonstrate how the social sciences contribute to enhancing the lifelong wellbeing of the nation.

Election 24: Can we achieve sustainable growth?

amy.williams — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 07:15:16 +0000

A roundtable style presentation hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Southampton. The event will take place in Southampton City Centre with a panel of local journalists, politicians and academics (to be announced). There will be an opportunity for attendees to submit questions to the panel in advance.

Reducing health inequalities – from evidence to policy

amy.williams — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 07:15:08 +0000

Join Professor Trish Greenhalgh, University of Oxford, and Professor Petra Meier, University of Glasgow, as they explore the UK’s health inequalities.

Still on track for net zero? Domestic and international challenges in climate policy

amy.williams — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 07:15:07 +0000

Two years on from COP26 in Glasgow, and ahead of the next COP in the United Arab Emirates, where do we stand in the UK and internationally on the transition to net zero? Is sufficient progress being made in public policy to limit the increase in global warming to 1.5°? Our keynote speaker, Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the UK Climate Change Committee, will share his thoughts on the challenges ahead. This will be followed by a panel of social scientists and industry representatives, as well as audience Q&A.

Migration: the research, the polling and the politics

amy.williams — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 07:15:03 +0000

This webinar, with Professor Heaven Crawley, Professor Paul Whiteley, Lord David Blunkett and Dr Heather Rolfe, will shine a light on what academic research tells us about migration within a UK context and explore both what the public think about the topic and the considerations which inform politics and policy-making on migration.

Appearance Matters Conference

Steve Grundy — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:04:49 +0000

The Campaign for Social Science is supporting the 10th biennial Appearance Matters Conference presented by the Centre for Appearance Research at UWE Bristol. The event is a great opportunity to learn about the latest important research on body image and appearance and explore its impact on people and society at large.

Academy of Social Sciences 24th AGM and 2023 Annual Lecture given by Professor Lucie Cluver

Sophia Cole — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:28:06 +0000

The Academy is hosting their 24th Annual General Meeting followed by the Annual Lecture. The Annual Academy Lecture will be given by Professor Lucie Cluver (University of Oxford and the University of Cape Town) on the topic of: ‘Can social science protect us against global threats?’

The AGM and Annual Lecture are open to all Fellows and representatives of our member social science societies. Fellows and Member Learned Society representatives can book by using the online link. If you are not a Fellow and would like to attend the Lecture, please email us.

Safe and Inclusive Communities Launch

Steve Grundy — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 09:10:18 +0000

Anglia Ruskin University, in partnership with the Campaign for Social Science, presents this event in the Safe and Inclusive Communities programme. This will be the official launch of the Safe and Inclusive Communities theme at ARU. The event is a great opportunity to network and to hear from expert researchers working within this area of study.

Social barriers into higher education

Steve Grundy — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 09:58:32 +0000

UWE Bristol, in partnership with the Campaign for Social Science, presents this discussion panel event focusing on social barriers impeding access to higher education. The event will bring together academics, practitioners, advocates and researchers from across a range of educational, community based and public sector settings and is a great chance to hear from experts and to network.

What’s next for “levelling up”?

Steve Grundy — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 14:48:28 +0000

The Policy Institute at King’s College London, in partnership with UK in a Changing Europe and the Campaign for Social Science, presents this event focusing on the future of the levelling up agenda in the context of the UK’s economic crisis.

The cost of living crisis: the short and the long view

Steve Grundy — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:05:48 +0000

The Campaign for Social Science Annual SAGE Lecture 2022

This year’s lecture will be delivered by Torsten Bell, Chief Executive Officer of the Resolution Foundation. Torsten will focus on what the research evidence says about the current economic situation in the UK. He’ll talk about how we’ve arrived here and will look in detail at some of the issues around living standards/cost of living and the economic inequalities in our society.

University of Essex Social Science Film Festival

Steve Grundy — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:01:04 +0000

University of Essex, in association with the Campaign for Social Science, presents this event which is part the ESRC Festival of Social Science.

Next Global Shocks Series – How can we make our economy more resilient? Lessons from the Pandemic

Steve Grundy — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:26:15 +0000

University of Glasgow, in partnership with the Campaign for Social Science, presents this event which part of a series of public lectures focusing on how we respond to global shocks. This event focuses on building a more resilient economy.

A Hot Topic: Exploring the social dimensions of the climate crisis

Steve Grundy — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:02:40 +0000

A free online event run by the Academy of Social Science’s Campaign for Social Science in partnership with SAGE Publishing. This event explores the urgent need to combine both social and technological solutions in order to address the challenges of climate change.

AcSS President’s Lunch – 28 June 2022

Chizom Ekeh — Tue, 24 May 2022 10:32:14 +0000

Registration has now closed.

Academy of Social Sciences 23rd Annual General Meeting – 16 June 2022

Chizom Ekeh — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 11:04:34 +0000

Please find the links below for the meeting papers:

AGM 2022 agenda

Minutes from the 2021 AGM

AcSS Annual Lecture 2022: Possibility space: the role of the social sciences in understanding, mapping and shaping the future – 16 June 2022

Chizom Ekeh — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 12:43:35 +0000

Professor Sir Geoff Mulgan will explore the history of future-shaping in social science; why this work has been discouraged in recent years; and what methods can be used to guide us through the difficult transitions ahead. Register free.

It’s institutions stupid: The moralisation of capitalism – Campaign for Social Science Annual SAGE Lecture (7 Dec 2021)

Steve Grundy — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 15:17:58 +0000

There is widespread agreement that contemporary capitalism needs a reset. This lecture, delivered by Will Hutton, will try to bring together theory, evidence and practice to point the way to a new capitalism.