Economic and Social Research Council

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

“The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funds research and training in social and economic issues. We are an independent organisation, established by Royal Charter, but receive most of our funding through the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. Our budget of £181 million (2007/2008) funds over 2,500 researchers in academic institutions and policy research institutes throughout the UK. We also support more than 2,000 postgraduate students.

The ESRC began in 1965 as the Social Science Research Council, comprising social science committees covering 14 disciplines ranging from anthropology to statistics. In 1983 the council was restructured under the new name of Economic and Social Research Council, focusing on six research areas: economic affairs, education and human development, environment and planning, government and law, industry and employment, and social affairs (more ESRC history).”

ESRC IN CONTEXT

“ESRC is a non-departmental public body principally funded through the Science Budget by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. We are one of seven research councils.

We began in 1965 as the Social Science Research Council, founded under a Royal Charter. Our early structure was of social science committees covering 14 disciplines ranging from anthropology to statistics.

In 1982 the Rothschild review recommended greater focus on empirical research and research related to public concerns. From 1983 we became the Economic and Social Research Council. Our new structure was of committees addressing six areas: economic affairs, education and human development, environment and planning, government and law, industry and employment, and social affairs.”