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For information. Caroline Glendinning From: Joanna Kelly [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 08 November 2011 10:23 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: FAO Learned Societies: Campaign for Social Science newsletter: Issue 2 CAMPAIGN FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE NEWSLETTER ISSUE 2 October 2011 The Riots of Summer 2011 Conference RiotersThe Riots of Summer 2011 Conference The Campaign for Social Science organised a conference jointly with the Academy of Social Sciences on 13th October to bring social science perspectives on the recent riots particularly to policy makers, think tanks and other opinion formers, including the press. The conference, which was entitled ‘The Riots of Summer 2011: Causes, Consequences and Cures’, included sessions which examined “how did we come to this?”, whether Britain is “broken” and whether the rioters were “just criminals”. Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, challenged the speakers to name their research priorities in this area. To read what they said, see the reports here: http://www.campaignforsocialscience.org.uk/node/86 <http://www.campaignforsocialscience.org.uk/node/86> And again here of the individual sessions. <http://www.acss.org.uk/docs/Riots%20conference%20Oct2011/webpages/Riotseven t.htm> A Campaign Press Release is available here. <http://campaignforsocialscience.org.uk/sites/default/files/riots_conference _press_release_211011.pdf> A podcast of proceedings will be available shortly. Campaign and Academy call for the reinstatement of a Government Chief Social Scientist position and more Departmental Scientific Advisers who are social scientists Professor Paul WilesProfessor Paul Wiles retired as Chief Social Scientist in 2010. We argue that he should be replaced, to bring social science into the heart of government at a senior level. The reinstatement of the post of Government Chief Social Scientist and to have more social scientists appointed as Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers are critical success factors for both the Campaign and the Academy of Social Sciences. The case for doing this is set out in the response submitted recently to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee and can be read here. <http://www.acss.org.uk/docs/Press%20Area/Academy%20response%20re%20DCSAs.do c> Response to the HE White Paper Published The White Paper published in July 2011 contains higher education reforms which affect social science students and providers. White Paper The Academy of Social Sciences has submitted a detailed, written response to the recent White Paper on Higher Education, entitled ‘Students at the Heart of the System’. The submission includes comment on a variety of issues, including the impact of the new fees proposals, with particular concerns for postgraduate study and the provision and undertaking of research activities. Addressing current uncertainties is a particular plea. The response can be found in full here. <http://www.acss.org.uk/Bulletins/2011september/HE%20WP%20Response%2013.09.1 1.doc> It is our understanding that a further White Paper on Research funding, priorities and provision is to be published shortly. Fifth Making the Case booklet to be launched footballers The next in the ‘Making the Case for the Social Sciences’ booklet series, Making the Case No 5: Sport and Leisure is due to be launched on 1st November, during the ESRC’s Festival of Social Science, at the BIS Conference centre in London. This booklet examines various issues in sport and leisure from a social science perspective and provides vignettes of relevant research in an accessible way for a broad, public audience. Topics include tackling issues such as improving school PE, helping elite athletes cope successfully with life after sport, tackling racism in sport, understanding gambling, ensuring mental health and encouraging allotment provision. The collection has been brought together with the kind help of Professor Jonathan Long AcSS of Leeds Metropolitan University, Professor David Kirk AcSS of the University of Bedfordshire, Professor Karl Spracklen, Chair of the Leisure Studies Association, and Dr Lisa Morrison Coulthard of the British Psychological Society, who, once again, kindly sponsored the booklet's production together with the ESRC, from whom a Festival related grant was also received, with thanks. The ESRC sponsored the first booklet in the Making the Case series and it is good to again have their support. Further publications in the series are being planned at this time, with no shortage of proposals being received. The booklet will be sent to all registered Campaign supporters, together with Academicians, Affiliates and Learned Societies. A soft copy will also be available on both the Campaign and Academy websites after 1st November. Public Discussion on 'University Futures' Graduates'The discussion covered issues relating to the future of higher education in the UK The Campaign supported the University of East London and THE in a public discussion entitled University Futures on 11th October. The event was timed to coincide with the beginning of the university term, marking the final intake of students paying the current rate of tuition fees. Two panels made up of leading social scientists addressed questions concerning the provision and direction of higher education, especially in respect of England. The event was foreshadowed by The Guardian in an article entitled: “What are universities for?”, in which several of the speakers, including the Campaign’s Director, Stephen Anderson, are quoted. See here for the article. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/oct/10/higher-education-purpose> Campaign for Social Science in Scotland Meetings Scotland The newly formed Campaign for Social Science in Scotland held its first planning meetings on 1st September. All supporters and Academicians based in Scotland were invited to attend one of the two scheduled meetings at either the University of Edinburgh or at Glasgow Caledonian University during the day to discuss the first steps of this new branch of the Campaign. The Campaign for Social Science in Scotland has been constituted within the overall Campaign to address the particular challenges facing the social sciences within the distinctive context of Scotland. The two meetings held covered a variety of issues relating to the development of the Campaign in Scotland and provided an excellent opportunity to tailor the Campaign’s initiatives to a particularly Scottish focus. One suggestion to be pursued was a ‘Making the Case for Social Science in Scotland’ booklet. The importance of building closer links with particular Scottish institutions supportive of the social sciences was underlined and it was good to have a very encouraging meeting with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, with whom a working relationship is to be developed. Campaign roadshow to take place in Bath Council Chamber University of BathThe Council Chamber, University of Bath, where the next Social Science Roadshow will be held on 17th November The next in the series of social science roadshows, the South West regional roadshow, is to be held at the University of Bath on 17th November. The regional roadshows, which have already taken place in nine different locations around the British Isles, raise awareness of the Campaign and give the opportunity of dialogue about the furtherance of the public understanding of social science. Speakers at the event include Professor Jane Millar, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Bath, Professor Michael Harloe, a member of the Board of the Campaign for Social Science and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford and Stephen Anderson, Executive Director of the Academy of Social Sciences. To book your place, please navigate to the South West regional roadshow Booking Form here. <http://cfssbath.eventbrite.com/> ESRC Festival of Social Science returns for the 9th consecutive year Festival of Social ScienceThe Economic and Social Research Council Festival for Social Science promotes the achievements of all social science disciplines The Economic and Social Research Council Festival of Social Science is returning for its ninth consecutive year and will run from 29th October until 5th November. More than 130 events aimed at a variety of audiences are scheduled to take place across the British Isles during this eight day period. These include, amongst many others, a debate on the use of social media for political change at Portcullis House in London; a workshop dealing with possible methods of integrating societal and scientific perspectives into environmental policy at Aberystwyth University in Wales; a seminar presenting the results of research into the socio-economic factors behind occupation rates of retail properties in the Yorkshire and Humberside region as a result of the recession at the Showroom Workstation in Sheffield; and a discussion on how Scotland can best support the development of cities and their communities at the Scottish Universities Insight Institute in Glasgow. The ESRC website <http://www.esrc.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/festival/> offers more information about these and many other events which they have organised as part of the Festival of Social Science. Please note that it may be necessary to book in advance for some events. As mentioned above, the Making the Case for the Social Sciences No5 : Sport and Leisure booklet, is to be launched on 1st November, as a Festival Event. Campaign Raises £75,000 Cash Due to the generosity of individuals, learned societies and publishers, together increasingly with HEIs, the Campaign has now raised over £75,000 this year to fund its efforts to raise the public profile of social science in the UK. The Campaign needs to be raising of the order of £250,000pa within 5 years to be able to deliver its mission and associated Development Plan. If you identify with the aims of the Campaign and wish to see the social sciences gain their rightful place in the public’s recognition and understanding, please consider giving whatever you can for our cause. You can donate to the Campaign by following this link <http://www.campaignforsocialscience.org.uk/> to the Campaign website and clicking on donate where there are various payment options, or else by emailing Joanna Kelly at [log in to unmask], who will send you a standing order form. Contact details: Campaign for Social Science 30 Tabernacle Street London EC2A 4UE. Tel: 020 7330 0897 Email: [log in to unmask] Website: www.campaignforsocialscience.org.uk <http://www.esrc.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/festival/> The next issue of the newsletter will be September 2011. Contributors should contact Joanna Kelly ([log in to unmask]) and Anne Nicholls ([log in to unmask]). Joanna Kelly Campaign for Social Science 30 Tabernacle Street London EC2A 4UE T: +44 (0) 20 7330 0897 E: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] W: <http://www.campaignforsocialscience.org.uk/> www.campaignforsocialscience.org.uk <http://www.campaignforsocialscience.org.uk/> SS_supportCampaign