THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE Policy briefing, January 2024 Overview A new report from the Academy of Social Sciences has emphasised the critical yet under-developed role for the UK’s social sciences in the UK’s current research, development and innovation system. [...] A striking feature of recent UK Government initiatives and announcements is the visible priority they place on new technologies and STEM-related R&I, and the limited amount that they say about the role and contribution of the social sciences. [...] Our report argues that the UK’s research and innovation strategy is now at risk of becoming lopsided, and missing an equivalently rich, textured and ambitious agenda for the many ways social science research and expertise contribute to addressing the UK’s economic, social and environmental priorities. [...] The examples we have given demonstrate not only the essential role of the social sciences in the STEM sphere, but also the amplifying effect of collaborative work across the STEM and social science fields. [...] This interdisciplinarity brings the strengths of the social sciences to bear: understanding behaviours, human engagement and uptake of new technologies; questioning paradigms, looking for unintended consequences, and providing legal and ethical frameworks and social and historical context.
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