Contemporary Relevance of the Social Sciences

The social sciences play an essential role in harnessing the many opportunities and mitigating the numerous and varied challenges we face in our contemporary human world. This report explores this by outlining eight principles about the UK’s social science sector: 

1. The social sciences are the understanding of people, society, economy and places 

1. The UK is a social science powerhouse 

1. The social sciences bring economic value 

1. The social sciences serve society 

1. The social sciences facilitate innovation 

1. The social sciences improve people’s lives by guiding good decision-making 

1. Social science subjects are open and available to all 

1. Social science skills are valued by employers and lead to well-paid careers 

Each principle is set out in detail, along with supporting evidence and case studies, serving as a user-friendly reference for policymakers, academics and practitioners.