The Impact of the Social Sciences: How Academics and Their Research Make a Difference

1. Auflage 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4462-8261-8
Verlag: SAGE PUBN

Buch, Englisch, 344 Seiten, Format (B × H): 170 mm x 244 mm, Gewicht: 703 g

In the modern globalized world, some estimates suggest that around 40 million people now work in jobs that 'translate' or mediate advances in social science research for use in business, government and public agencies, health care systems, and civil society organizations. Many large corporations and organizations across these sectors in the United States are increasingly prioritizing access to social science knowledge. Yet the impacts of university social science continue to be fiercely disputed.

This key study demonstrates the essential role of university social science in the 'human-dominated' and 'human-influenced' systems now central to our civilization. It focuses empirically on Britain, the second most influential country for social science research after the US. Using in-depth research the authors show how the growth of a services economy, and the success of previous scientific interventions, mean that key areas of advance for corporations, public policy-makers and citizens alike now depend on our ability to understand our complex societies and economies.

This is a landmark study in the evidence-based analysis of social science impacts.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Bastow, Simon

Dunleavy, Patrick

Tinkler, Jane

Fachgebiete

• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften Interdisziplinär Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Wissenschaften: Theorie, Epistemologie, Methodik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Wissenschaftstheorie, Wissenschaftsphilosophie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Foreword by Ken Prewitt
INTRODUCTION
The social sciences - impacts in search of a model
PART I: HOW ACADEMICS ACHIEVE IMPACT
Social science research and channels of impact (with Joan Wilson)
Modelling the determinants of external social science impacts (with Joan Wilson)
PART II: THE DEMAND FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
Business and commercial firms (with Rebecca Mann)
Government and public policy making
Civil society organizations and public engagement (with Raphaelle Bisiaux)
PART III: THE IMPACTS INTERFACE AND PATTERNS OF INTERACTION
Modelling the dynamics of impact across different sectors
Narratives of impact and supporting case studies
PART IV: NEW DIRECTIONS
The governance of impact in higher education institutions
Digital scholarship and impact
Conclusions: Intellectuals, Impacts, and Civilisation

Über Autor(innen)

Tinkler, Jane
Jane Tinkler is the Head of Social Science for the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. She is also Research Associate at the LSE Public Policy Group at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her research interests focus on the quality of public services in the UK, including citizen redress in UK public services and the use of design approaches in innovative change in the public sector.

Dunleavy, Patrick
Patrick Dunleavy is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the Department of Government at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Chair of the LSE Public Policy Group. He has published extensively across UK public policy including public sector productivity, electoral systems and digital era governance.

Bastow, Simon
Simon Bastow is Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Government at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and LSE Public Policy Group. His research interests are in governance and executive politics, UK and comparative public policy, and impacts of social science.