Funding boost for social sciences

Posted on 1 February 2019

The University is to receive £1.1m from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to boost the impact of its social science research.

The grant is part of a £27m award to 26 research institutions across the UK for the second round of Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAAs). Over the next four years these ESRC IAAs will help social scientists collaborate with businesses and policymakers to create new opportunities for their research to make a positive impact on society and the economy.

Professor Matthew Festenstein, Associate Dean for Research in the Faculty of Social Sciences at York, said: “Our existing ESRC IAA has funded projects in which York's social science researchers have worked with partners in businesses, NGOs, charities, local and national government, police services, health authorities, emergency services, and a wide range of other organisations.”

These awards aim to enable research organisations to speed up the impact of their research. Recipients can decide how best to invest their IAA funding according to their individual needs and strategies.

Professor Festenstein added: “This award is an outstanding tribute to the quality of York's social science research and the positive impact it has on the community, economy and policy.

“Complex contemporary challenges require close working between the University and our wide range of stakeholders. The IAAs will help build and consolidate our regional, national and local partnerships and ensure our research can continue to have important real world impacts.”