Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the readership of Government-funded social science research, outside of universities, in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Available information on the readership of social science research does not distinguish between different categories of reader. However, there are many different ways for research to be disseminated and to have impact wider than academic readership.

Over 2000 case studies of the impact from social science research outside academia were submitted to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 Panel C on Social Sciences (around 30% of total impact case studies submitted to the REF). Analysis from the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement shows that 52% of those submitted to Panel C included public engagement. Additional analysis by Kings College London and Digital Science (attached) looked at the impact of research on public policy and parliamentary debate, showing that case studies submitted to Panel C were the most likely to evidence political engagement.

Between 2012-16, at least 25% of Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded research included collaboration or partnership with at least one partner organisation. ESRC funded research is also highly connected to the public sector with up to 27% of funded research showing policy or practice impacts in 2016.

Specific examples of the impact from ESRC’s funded social science research can be found on their website, many of these involve working closely with industry, government, or not-for-profits.

We are working with UK Research and Innovation and other key partners to develop a roadmap that sets out how government and industry will work together to reach our target of increasing R&D investment to 2.4% of GDP by 2027, which would be the highest recorded level, and 3% in the longer-term.

The £236m Strength in Places Fund supports areas across the UK to build on their science and innovation strengths and develop stronger local networks. It funds proposals developed by local consortia which demonstrate a strong impact on local growth and productivity. Successful wave 1 bids were announced by UKRI in March 2019, and wave two was launched on 8 May 2019. It is expected that successful bids to this initial stage will be announced during summer 2020.