The business of people

UK growth and prosperity will falter without a better grasp of human behaviour and public attitudes, especially in the service sector of the economy. That’s according to a new report from the Campaign for Social Science, produced with the support of the British Psychological Society and other bodies. The report, The Business of People: The Significance of Social Science over the Next Decade, also calls for a new senior Whitehall social science adviser, more investment in 'Big Data', social science advice for MPs and members of the devolved administrations and more explicit recognition for social science in government strategy. Campaign chair Professor James Wilsdon said: ‘Whatever the outcome of the general election, the challenges facing the UK demand the skills, insights and imagination of social scientists. Growth, health, security and wellbeing all depend on knowing how markets, organisations, individuals and households work, making investment in social science a critical component of the government’s strategy for science and innovation. It's with confidence in the absolute necessity of social science that this report stakes its claim on scarce resources.’ The report calls for the £4.7 billion annual budget for science and innovation to increase by at least 10 per cent in real terms over the next parliament, adding that 'Within Whitehall, cross-government thinking about demands for evidence and analysis should extend to training, data and international research collaboration.' At the launch of the report today, Greg Clark MP, Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, will talk about the value of social science. Professor Jane Elliott, chief executive of the Economic and Social Research Council, another speaker at the launch event, said: ‘Social science is vital to a vibrant and fair society. The UK’s world-class research enables us to better understand our communities, institutions and economy. The impact it has is extremely valuable in both human and economic terms.’ Several examples of ‘public service’ from psychologists are included in the report: Professor Tanya Byron’s review on ‘Safer Children in a Digital World’, psychology graduate David Halpern’s government service in founding the Behavioural Insights Team, neuropsychologist Huw Williams’ studies on behalf of the Department of Health, and Professor Rory O’Connor’s advice to the Scottish Government on suicide prevention. Numerous examples of psychological research and practice are dotted throughout, such as David Clark's work with Lord Richard Layard in advocating cognitive therapies, and Sir Cary Cooper's life's work on the psychological health and wellbeing of staff in organisations. The report has a strong emphasis on working across disciplines, highlighting that 'the social sciences offer varied ways of understanding and measuring human behaviour and activity. But the common aim is getting inside the life of firms, households and individuals, and capturing trends and patterns. We call this report the "business of people" in the belief that there is deep unity among the disciplines.' Daryl O’Connor, Professor of Psychology at the University of Leeds and a member of the report working group, said: ‘The Business of People report is an excellent example of the social sciences, including psychology, working together in order to attempt to influence the research and funding agenda over the next decade. It contains numerous far-reaching recommendations that are likely to directly impact on psychology now and in the future. However, for the report to have real public and political impact, it is important for colleagues to read it, talk about it and share it!’ Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes, President Elect of the British Psychological Society, said: 'The social sciences are among the most popular degree choices for undergraduates and British social scientists punch well above their weight in terms of the number, impact and reach of publications. As a psychologist, I welcome this report which calls for research funding in the social sciences to be strengthened, for more social scientists to take up senior roles as advisors across Government departments and for a social scientist to take up a Chief Advisor role to Government.' The Campaign for Social Science was set up in 2011 to inform public policy, build coalitions and engage in measured advocacy. It sprang from the Academy of Social Sciences (AcSS), whose thousand Fellows are eminent academics and practitioners in business, government and civil society; 47 learned societies (including the British Psychological Society) are also members, representing 90,000 social scientists in varied settings. Over the next three months, the Campaign is running a series of ‘roadshows’ at more than 25 universities across England, Wales and Scotland, to promote discussion of the report’s conclusions. To read the report, see http://campaignforsocialscience.org.uk/businessofpeople/