Social research funding: sharing perspectives

ESRC Research Methods Programme and Social Research Association

Royal Statistical Society, London - 26 September 2003

Programme

The seminar will provide information on how Government and the major Charitable Foundations commission and fund research. This will include how to get information about their interests and programmes, how a proposal is evaluated, and the ground rules for conducting and disseminating research. Whilst the ESRC is the key funder of academic research in the social sciences, this seminar is concerned with other major funding bodies, ranging from Government – which, in so far as most work is commissioned, is the most directive, to the least directive (Leverhulme) as it chiefly responds to academics’ proposals. Together, they fund much more social science research than the ESRC.

The day will provide valuable information from those who commission and fund research as well as an opportunity to hear the experiences of social researchers who have received funding from these bodies. This will allow a discussion of issues such as intellectual copyright, publication procedures and dissemination.

Chairs:  Angela Dale, CCSR, University of Manchester
              Ceridwen Roberts, University of Oxford and Social Research Association

10.00     Registration and coffee

10.30     Introduction to the day and overview of funding spectrum

10.40     Government funded research
                Sue Duncan, Government Chief Social Researcher, Cabinet Office
                George Clark, Chief Research Officer, Department of Work and Pensions
                Paul McCafferty, Head of the Local and Regional Government Research Unit, ODPM
                With contributions from other government departments and key researchers

11.45    The researchers' perspective
                Professor Mike Hough, Institute of Criminal Policy Research, King's College London
                Dr Helen Barnes, Policy Studies Institute

12:05    General discussion

12.45    Lunch

13.30   The Charitable Foundations

            Presentations from:

• The Joseph Rowntree Foundation
  Anne Harrop, Director of Research
  
  

• The Nuffield Foundation
  Sharon Witherspoon, Deputy Director
  
  

• The Leverhulme Trust
  Professor Sir Richard Brook

14.45    The researchers' perspective

                 Dr Helen Barnes, Policy Studies Institute
                 Professor Mike Hough, Institute of Criminal Policy Research, King's College London

15.15    Discussion

16.00    Conclusions and end