Bringing social science into the light of day

Launch of the Campaign for Social Science on 20 January 2011 – introductory remarks by Professor Cary Cooper, Chair of AcSS

“The Campaign for Social Science will bring social science into the light of day – to show to parliament, press and public, what it is and why we need it.

“Social science is compelling, edgy and necessary.  It is about being green or greedy, global or local, it is about wellbeing, circuses, crowds, suicide bombers, illicit drugs, punk, funk, farming or fashion.  Social science is about us, all of us and how we live together harmoniously.

“At the same time, uncertainties arising from untested market forces that will govern higher education funding combined with real terms reductions to research budgets in government and elsewhere will add up to mean less UK social science.

“But, we live in a complex and fast-changing world.  We face power shifts in the global marketplace, terrorist attacks, strains in our society and climate change. Surely we need more social science, not less, in order to find out how we are to best proceed in the light of these challenges.

“It may not be so easy to change a stereotype, but what we will do is to make sure that social science is widely understood as a necessary aid to maintaining the best of our lives, our peace, our institutions and international relations.”