Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

3 Key Takeaways

• Research Funding: The ESRC provides funding and support for research projects, fellowships, and doctoral training programs in the social sciences, enabling researchers to address important societal challenges and advance knowledge in their respective fields.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: The ESRC promotes interdisciplinary research collaborations and partnerships across different disciplines and sectors, fostering innovation, creativity, and cross-cutting insights into complex social and economic issues.
• Impact and Engagement: Through its research funding and knowledge exchange activities, the ESRC aims to generate impactful research outcomes, inform policy decisions, and contribute to public understanding and awareness of social and economic issues.

Introduction to ESRC

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is one of the UK’s seven research councils, which are funded by the UK government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It is responsible for promoting and supporting research and training in the social sciences, with the aim of addressing societal challenges, informing policy decisions, and enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities.

Research Funding

Grants and Fellowships

• The ESRC provides funding for research projects, fellowships, and training programs in a wide range of social science disciplines, including economics, sociology, psychology, geography, political science, and anthropology.
• Researchers can apply for ESRC grants to support their research activities, conduct empirical studies, collect data, and disseminate research findings through publications, conferences, and other knowledge exchange activities.

Doctoral Training

• The ESRC funds doctoral training programs (DTPs) and doctoral training centers (DTCs) across UK universities, providing scholarships and training opportunities for postgraduate students pursuing research degrees in the social sciences.
• These training programs aim to develop students’ research skills, theoretical knowledge, and methodological expertise, preparing them for careers in academia, public policy, industry, and civil society.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Collaboration and Partnerships

• The ESRC promotes interdisciplinary research collaborations and partnerships between academic researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders.
• By bringing together expertise from different disciplines and sectors, interdisciplinary research projects can address complex societal challenges, generate innovative solutions, and produce impactful research outcomes.

Cross-Cutting Themes

• The ESRC supports research on cross-cutting themes and priority areas, such as inequality, sustainability, digital innovation, health and well-being, and global challenges.
• These thematic research initiatives encourage researchers to explore interdisciplinary perspectives, engage with diverse stakeholders, and address pressing social and economic issues facing society.

Impact and Engagement

Knowledge Exchange

• The ESRC facilitates knowledge exchange and engagement activities to ensure that research findings are accessible, relevant, and impactful for policymakers, practitioners, and the wider public.
• Knowledge exchange activities may include policy briefings, public lectures, seminars, workshops, and collaborative projects with non-academic partners.

Policy Influence

• The ESRC seeks to inform policy decisions and shape public debate by providing evidence-based research and analysis on key social and economic issues.
• Through its research funding and knowledge exchange activities, the ESRC aims to contribute to evidence-informed policymaking, enhance public understanding of social science research, and promote positive social change and innovation.

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) plays a vital role in supporting and promoting research and training in the social sciences, contributing to the advancement of knowledge, policy development, and societal well-being. By funding research projects, doctoral training programs, and interdisciplinary collaborations, the ESRC enables researchers to address complex social and economic challenges, generate new insights, and make meaningful contributions to academic scholarship, public policy, and societal impact.