Copyright 2007 Economic and Social Research Council Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:26:45 GMT http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk The latest press releases from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the UK's leading research funding and training agency addressing economic and social concerns en-gb http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/images/image_logo.gif http://www.esrc.ac.uk/ http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/dcal.aspx Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:37:51 GMT A fascinating event looking at sign language research is to be held at University College London on 20 March as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science (21-21 March). http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/migration.aspx Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:13 GMT Who counts as a 'migrant'? Who are the people behind the statistics? The ESRC's Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) at the University of Oxford, is holding an exhibition on migration from 20-21 March at Oxford Town Hall Gallery, as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/football.aspx Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:37:10 GMT With Sheffield's successful bid to be considered as one of the host cities for the 2018 World Cup, Sheffield University and Sheffield United Football Club are inviting the public to join the giants of the football world and social scientists to discuss the state of the game, as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/climate_change.aspx Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:16:40 GMT Those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change in the UK may be those who have contributed least to the problem, according to climate change experts. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/innovation_debate.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:29:53 GMT Staged on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis an event will see two school teams lock horns on the question 'Are people living in rural areas innovative?' in the Strathclyde University Innovation Debate. The event is part of the Economics and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science (12-22 March). http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/emergency.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:48:42 GMT Swine flu, terrorist attacks and extreme weather have all been the subject of government preparedness exercises, but few people know what is involved in planning for emergencies. This will be the starting point of a simulation exercise for young people, to be held in a nuclear bunker in Sussex on March 18 as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/picture_of_health.aspx Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:43:20 GMT Youth homelessness and eating disorders are two areas of health highlighted by young people in Cardiff, in a project that uses digital technology to create short films which detail public health issues. The films will be displayed at the Chapter Arts Centre in Canton, Cardiff on Wednesday 17 March, as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/festivalgoers.aspx Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:31:19 GMT Why will a record number of more than 500 music festivals take place in the UK this year? Some of the reasons for the rapid growth in the UK music festival and free party scene were showcased at an exciting, interactive multimedia exhibition organised in Bristol as part of the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science last week. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/sheffieldschools.aspx Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:05:01 GMT A film created by secondary school children from Sheffield is giving them a chance to have their views heard on a topic close to their hearts: the design of their school. A special screening of the film will be held by the Centre for the Study of Childhood and Youth, University of Sheffield in collaboration with Sheffield NOW on Wednesday 17 March 2010, as part of the ESRC's Festival of Social Science. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/floods.aspx Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:37:49 GMT In June 2007, the east coast city of Hull was devastated by flooding which claimed the life of one man and displaced thousands of families from their homes. Now a unique study sponsored by the ESRC Festival of Social Science (12-21 March) is aiming to understand how the flood and its aftermath affected one key section of the community whose voice is seldom heard: children and young people. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/ktp.aspx Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:05:15 GMT The winner of the 2010 Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Knowledge Transfer Partnership prize for the Best Application of Social or Management Science has saved the Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) an estimated £350,000. The winning project aimed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Trust's transport systems. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/bilingual.aspx Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:09:45 GMT One in four UK children has a mother born overseas which means at least one parent speaks a foreign language at home. But what are the challenges for parents raising bilingual and multilingual offspring? This is just one of the questions up for debate at the ESRC's Festival of Social Science on 19 March. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/secondlife.aspx Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:28:36 GMT Are you a Second Life resident looking to get a bit more out of your virtual world? If so, join Sheila Yoshikawa at 8pm (1pm Second Life time) on March 18 on Sheffield University's Second Life island, Infolit ischool, for hints and tips on searching, shopping and sightseeing, as part of the ESRC's Festival of Social Science. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/myp2010.aspx Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:09:10 GMT The winner of the 2010 Michael Young Prize has been announced as Dr Ann Le Mare for her work on the impact of fair trade on the wellbeing of women, businesses and organisations in Bangladesh. This prestigious prize is awarded for excellence in the social sciences and is sponsored by the ESRC and The Young Foundation. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/being_human.aspx Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:40:04 GMT Happiness, police interviews, 'competitive conversations' and workplace smells are just some of the subjects that academics from University of Essex will be talking about, in a week of free public lectures between the 15 and 19 March, as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/pharmacy.aspx Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:29:32 GMT Should cannabis be legalised? This thorny political issue will be debated by teams of school children in a national competition designed to challenge the pupil's scientific knowledge. The event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science and will be staged at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/textiles.aspx Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:18:34 GMT Ever wanted to know how designers come up with ideas for the clothes we wear, the bags we carry, the patterns in our homes, and the designs of the future? Then head to the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) on 16 March for "Textiles Scrap Box: Stitching Textile Design with Social Science", an event taking place during the ESRC's Festival of Social Science 2010. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/sheffield.aspx Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:32:13 GMT What contributes to people's fear of crime in cities? How much do litter, graffiti, broken street lighting and dilapidated buildings play a role? Or do people's social and cultural knowledge play a stronger role in shaping people's fears? An innovative experiment in Sheffield, which is organised as part of the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science (12 -21 March), aims to find out. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/Job_crafting.aspx Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:11:33 GMT Issues such as employee engagement and wellbeing will be the topic of a debate over tea and toast at the business breakfast seminar, staged by ConsultIWP. This event as part of the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science will show how organisations can involve employees in crafting better quality jobs, using the Institute's participative job redesign tool 'Scenarios Planning'. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/Baby_sign.aspx Tue, 9 Mar 2010 11:43:34 GMT How important is it for mothers to use hand gestures to communicate with their infants? This is the key question investigated by new research being showcased at the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science on 18 March. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/crucial_role.aspx Tue, 9 Mar 2010 11:23:53 GMT Social science underpins many of Britain's most successful public policies from poverty alleviation, macroeconomics to crime prevention. Conversely, a lack of social science and the evidence it provides often leads to failed policies. Wishing to increase the impact of social science, a distinguished panel will discuss how research can strengthen its involvement in policymaking as part of the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science (12 to 21 March). http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/inspiration.aspx Mon, 8 Mar 2010 10:48:18 GMT Why is inspiration so elusive? Is there a science to capturing it? Or do we still simply follow the classical art of using a muse? As part of the ESRC's Festival of Social Science, Sheffield University is organising a public event that will investigate sources of inspiration from all sides. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/citizens.aspx Mon, 8 Mar 2010 10:02:53 GMT How important is it for UK universities to play a role in preparing undergraduates for lives of civic engagement? This question and others will be discussed in a seminar on the 15 March 2010, organised by Birmingham University School of Education as part of the ESRC's Festival of Social Science. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/st_anns.aspx Fri, 5 Mar 2010 10:37:02 GMT About 300 residents from St. Ann's in Nottingham are expected to take part in a one day programme of interactive workshops during the ESRC's Festival of Social Science. The event, which will explore key local issues including drug use, poverty, migration, education and social division, has been organised by sociologists at the University of Nottingham as part of the university-wide 'Community Partnership' scheme. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/safety_online.aspx Fri, 5 Mar 2010 10:23:43 GMT Sunderland City Council has teamed up with a group of academic researchers to put on an exciting interactive event aimed at making internet users more aware of the problems of disclosing personal information online. The event forms part of the nationwide Festival of Social Science which is run by the ESRC. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/moorlands.aspx Fri, 5 Mar 2010 10:06:30 GMT As part of the Festival of Social Science organised by the ESRC (12-21 March 2010), the Peak District National Park Authority in Partnership with the National Trust and Moors for the Future, is running a walk and a series of talks for the general public and local countryside professionals, to share the research, practical techniques and successes of moorland restoration. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/Positive_ageing.aspx Fri, 5 Mar 2010 09:46:52 GMT The population of the UK is ageing. Sixteen per cent of the UK population is 65 or older, and for the first time, there are more people over the age of 65 than there are under the age of 18. This raises a lot of questions on issues such as pension provision, health care and wellbeing. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/2012.aspx Thu, 4 Mar 2010 16:30:11 GMT The youth of London have an urgent message for the world about life in the capital and what the Olympic Games and its legacy will really mean for those living in its shadow. Generation 2012, an event which is part of the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science, is a community digital storytelling project that gives them the opportunity to 'tell it like it is'. At the same time the event will be launching a debate about the role of sport in mediating notions of identity within multicultural societies. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/social_science.aspx Thu, 4 Mar 2010 16:04:41 GMT Your average conversation down the pub on a Friday night could include topics such as 'the kids are driving me mad this week' or 'the litter in our street is out of control' and 'have you seen that change 4 life advert on TV?' - but the crucial research behind the topics rarely gets the same attention. Three events during the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science (12-21 March) provides a fascinating insight into how social science research influences our everyday lives. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/nostalgia.aspx Thu, 4 Mar 2010 15:17:58 GMT Like the rest of the UK, Scotland is undergoing social and economic change. The population is declining, ageing and becoming increasingly diverse and the definition of what it means to 'be Scottish' is ever more complex. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/get_involved.aspx Wed, 3 Mar 2010 10:03:33 GMT Now in its eighth year, the ESRC's Festival of Social Science is aiming to provoke debate and discussion about climate change and the environment from young people across the UK. http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2010/march/timescapes.aspx Wed, 3 Mar 2010 09:57:32 GMT Members of the public are being invited to share their memories of key turning points in their lives at an exhibition in London on Thursday 18 March, taking place as part of the ESRC's Festival of Social Science.