Our research makes a difference. It shapes public policies and makes businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective.

Our mission

Our role is to:

• promote and support, by any means, high-quality basic, strategic and applied research and related postgraduate training in the social sciences
• advance knowledge and provide trained social scientists who meet the needs of users and beneficiaries, thereby contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom, the effectiveness of public services and policy, and the quality of life
• provide advice on, and disseminate, knowledge; and promote public understanding of the social sciences.     
  

Our strategy and priorities

With our Delivery Plan 2011-2015 we have sharpened our focus around three priorities:

• Economic Performance and Sustainable Growth
• Influencing Behaviour and Informing Interventions
• A Vibrant and Fair Society

These encapsulate the big issues for Britain, the wider world and for social science that we identified in a process of refinement. We will revisit the priorities each year and update them as necessary. The three priorities guide our work towards maximising the impact from existing research, resources and training investments. We also plan to direct some of our budget towards new activities.

After seeking views in March 2011 we have been refining our strategic priorities. 

Our Strategic Plan 2009-2014 sets out our prospectus for what social science can and must do over the next few years. In consultation with academics, government and other partners, we have identified specific areas of strategic challenge for the social sciences.

The ESRC Delivery Plan 2011-15 and Scorecard 2011/12 (PDF, 164Kb) are developed for a period of three years after the completion of a government spending review. The Delivery Plan sets out the Council’s high-level funding priorities and the activities which will be taken forward over the spending review period. The Scorecard sets the Council’s targets and milestones towards achieving the objectives set out in the Plan, and is refreshed annually.

Our Annual Report provides information our activities during the previous financial year including an analysis of our research and training expenditure, and our research portfolio.