What does the social sciences do for me?

4 March 2010

Your average conversation down the pub on a Friday night could include topics such as 'the kids are driving me mad this week' or 'the litter in our street is out of control' and 'have you seen that change 4 life advert on TV?' - but the crucial research behind the topics rarely gets the same attention. Three events during the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science (12-21 March) provides a fascinating insight into how social science research influences our everyday lives.

An event hosted online by the Open University's Institute for Social Marketing looks at how social marketing can influence our behaviour. Social marketing is a form of marketing that is used to influence behaviour for a 'social good' such as obeying the speed limit or not to smoke in public areas. The event will have several interactive elements such as videos, a blogs and an online discussion aimed at introducing the general public to social marketing and the way it is used to influence behaviour.

Family policy and parenthood is an important yet complex issue and one which can make people react in very different ways. The Institute of Ideas is hosting 'Standing up to Supernanny' a debate in partnership with the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival on Sunday 21 March. The debate will focus on whether parents need counselling, parenting classes and policies backed by academic research in order to be good parents or whether parents should be standing up to 'supernanny' policies, media and science.

'Consuming nature: sociology, you and nature' aims to look at the changing environment in the East Midlands from the industrial age to modern day. Hosted by the School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University at Attenborough Nature Centre on 17 March, the event will feature a guided 'philosophical encounter' with the nature reserve as well as discussion around the issue.

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