Wales takes a lead in Researching Civil Society - Cardiff University based research institute receives 拢7 million for social science research

The Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD), based at Cardiff University, has received major funding in excess of 拢7 million following a successful bid to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

As one of four UK research centres, will be part of an overall ESRC investment of 拢29 million in a series of new centres and investments which will focus on a range of subjects addressing the ESRC鈥檚 priorities of: economic performance and sustainable growth, influencing behaviour and informing interventions, and a vibrant and fair society; which includes a focus on civil society.

This new flagship centre, WISERD/Civil Society, will undertake a five year innovative and far-reaching research programme of policy relevant research addressing Civil Society in Wales, the UK and Internationally. 

WISERD Director Professor Ian Rees Jones said: 鈥淎s part of WISERD, a partnership between the Universities of Aberystwyth, 黑料不打烊, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea Universities, this new centre (WISERD/Civil Society) is built around longstanding partnerships between academics, policy makers and civil society organisations.鈥�

鈥淲ISERD/Civil Society research will aim to inform our understanding of the changing nature of civil society in the context of devolved government and processes of profound social and economic change.   Furthermore, because of its size and devolved government, Wales offers a unique context for studying these issues.  Viewing Wales as a 鈥榣aboratory for social science鈥�, the centre will build on existing networks of researchers who have a wide range of expertise and skills.鈥�

鈥淭his new centre will bring together our partner institutions with researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh, Sheffield and Ulster.  This is indeed a unique and exciting opportunity to undertake collaborative and multidisciplinary research that is focused on contemporary features of civil society,鈥� he concluded.

Established in 2008, WISERD provides an 鈥楢ll-Wales鈥� focus for research and has had a major impact on the quantity and quality of social science research in Wales.

The Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts MP said of the ESRC announcement: 鈥淚nvestment in these research priorities is key to driving innovation and growth, helping to influence and shape policy and deliver a better society for us all.鈥�

The centre will launch in Autumn 2014.  Further details on the research areas covered by the new centre will be presented at the WISERD 2014 Annual Conference at Aberystwyth University on 3rd and 4th July 2014.

 

Publication date: 3 April 2014