A recent study by the Economic and Social Research Council found that internet users are willing to sacrifice their privacy if they trust the organization requesting personal information. The research revealed that even people who declare themselves unconcerned about privacy will oppose ID cards if the request process feels invasive.
A new European study reveals that older people living alone are more likely to experience depression, loneliness, and lower life satisfaction compared to those living with a spouse or others. However, the findings suggest that women in Nordic countries tend to be happier when living alone.
A study of over 800 children aged 5-12 found that kids treat disloyalty within their group harsher than disloyalty towards outgroups, challenging previous theories of childhood prejudice.
The UK's first independent Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy has been established to support high-quality research and inform policy decisions on charitable giving. The centre will explore individual, corporate, and institutional giving, as well as its impact on social and economic inequalities.
A four-year study involving 600 children and 80 parents found that having friends at the new school helped settle-in, get-on and become more independent. Friends provided a sense of security and support during challenging times.
A new booklet by the ESRC argues that human rights should play a role in improving public services and addressing social injustices in the UK. The publication suggests introducing economic, social, and cultural rights into British law to give citizens the dignity and self-confidence needed to lead full lives.
A study by Professor Brian Wynne found that ordinary people worry about the burden of genetic testing, its impact on families, social status, and employment opportunities. The public is concerned that individualized healthcare could limit access to services like insurance, medical coverage, and mortgages.
The 2007 Michael Young Prize winners, Dr Elizabeth Pellicano and Dr Asi Sharabi, have been recognized for their groundbreaking research on autism and its impact. Their studies provide valuable insights into the developmental disorder and offer solutions to improve policy responses and communication with carers.
The New Dynamics of Ageing Programme has funded 12 research projects, totaling £3million, to investigate various aspects of ageing. These studies aim to enhance the quality of life, productivity, and self-sufficiency of older adults, with a focus on improving their health, social engagement, and community support.
The Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) largest-ever education research programme has identified key principles for effective teaching and learning. These principles are designed to support children's motivation, collaboration skills and intellectual challenge, as well as develop their ability to learn throughout life.
Forty SMEs in the West Midlands region have won innovation vouchers to collaborate with 13 UK universities, receiving £3000 each. The INDEX project aims to create a positive link between SMEs and universities, generating real innovation.
The conference examines the effects of Web 2.0 activities, including social networking sites, blogs, and wikis, on digital cultures and societies. Key findings highlight concerns over information chaos and decreased cultural value.
Research reveals that children's cortisol levels are already high several months before the start of school term, suggesting an early anticipation of stress. Children with more extroverted personalities tend to experience higher stress levels and may benefit from support for parents' anxiety about school transition.
A new study by the Economic and Social Research Council's Teaching and Learning Research Programme found that schools can be turned into places where students become independent learners. The project showed that teachers who receive proper professional development and support can help children take responsibility for their own learning.
A study funded by ESRC suggests that ethical consumption is a political phenomenon rather than a market response. People are aware of issues like Fairtrade and environmental sustainability but often lack effective pathways to act on their concerns.
The study found that consultants act as knowledge brokers, managing projects and collaborating with clients. They earn respect through intelligence, commitment, and engaging with employees' problems.
A study funded by ESRC found that community renewable energy projects are largely based in the countryside, revitalizing local economies and alleviating poverty. The projects generate energy renewably at a local level, involving wind turbines, solar panels, and shared heating systems.
A new study by Professor Michael Rowlinson reveals that nearly all UK and US companies produce historical accounts of themselves, but the quality is extremely variable. Many UK companies could improve the way they present their history to the public, which can impact consumers' views of their longevity and trustworthiness.
The UK's escalating waste problem can be tackled by changing buying habits and attitudes to consumption. Social marketing techniques can encourage people to reduce their consumption and lower waste output.
A study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council found that over half of participants in experiments failed to plan ahead when making dynamic decisions about their lives. The research shows that people tend to either fully plan or not plan at all, with most taking a route that only appears favorable.
Research by Cass Business School reveals annual reports fail to capture the full value of companies' innovative activities, particularly in the services sector. The study highlights the importance of human capital and relational capital in innovation, but notes conventional measures are often overlooked.
Researchers at University of Portsmouth have found that adding cognitive load to interviews can improve police ability to detect deception. The new approach involves asking suspects to tell their stories in reverse order, leading to more non-verbal cues and improved discrimination between truthful and false accounts.
Skills being used in British workplaces have been rising for the last two decades, but at a slower pace in recent years. The study found that computing skills are becoming more essential, while jobs requiring 'influence skills' such as writing reports and teaching others are also on the rise.
A new study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) reveals that women see security differently from men, with a focus on feeling represented, having jobs, education, and healthcare. The research emphasizes the need for gender equality and women's representation in peace-building processes.
A new study by Dr. Jo Phoenix reveals that magistrates often disregard Youth Offending Teams' advice and rely on stereotypes when making judgments, placing the responsibility of lawbreaking firmly with young people or their families. The research highlights material and social difficulties experienced by young offenders, but these narr...
Researchers investigated how speakers choose words to avoid conflict in conversation, revealing a 'social cohesion principle' underlying simple talk. The study found that speakers tend to use the correct form of words to suit the situation, often correcting themselves if needed.
A study by the Economic & Social Research Council finds that younger people in Scotland and Wales are more likely to support nationalist parties, driven by a decline in British national pride. The researchers suggest that this trend may lead to increased potential for independence movements.
Research reveals national party politics in Europe remains uninterested in European affairs, leaving EU specialists without influence. Parties fail to adapt to EU integration due to economic and political reasons, resulting in limited resources dedicated to EU issues.
A study by Dr. Susie Weller and Professor Irene Brugel found that children actively forge neighbourly relationships and connections for their parents, strengthening local communities and making areas feel safe. The researchers also discovered local differences in which children travel unaccompanied without adults.
A survey of 200 patients and healthcare professionals found that digitization can empower users and improve efficiency, but also undermines worker pride if not designed with established practices in mind. The study highlights the need for attention to areas such as technology design, user trust, and preserving workers' knowledge.
A new book by Dan Coffey challenges the notion that Japanese car manufacturers pioneered flexible assembly, instead revealing a flawed 'just-in-time' supply system that undermined Rover Group's success. The research also casts doubt on the environmental benefits of lean production methods.
A new interactive learning system called HOMEWORK has been shown to improve communication between parents, teachers, and learners. It integrates educational software with multimedia technologies, making numeracy learning more engaging and increasing participation and enjoyment in homework.
The ESRC has launched a new online resource, Public Services Zone, featuring research on public service reform, including performance management, capability and capacity, choice and voice, and competition and contestability. The zone provides user-friendly summaries, news, and opportunities for connection with researchers.
A study by Oxford Internet Institute researchers highlights the challenges of finding credible scientific sources on the web. The findings suggest that search engines play a significant role in shaping access to information, with some topics experiencing more central roles than others.
A new research program, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, aims to understand the impact of non-governmental agencies on reducing poverty and exclusion. The program will focus on a broad range of groups, including NGOs, advocacy networks, and social movements.
A new study found that consumers reject high-quality medical information in favor of websites with a human touch. Trustworthy sites with personal stories and like-minded contributors have more influence on consumer behavior, while untrustworthy features like advertising can have negative effects.
A new study provides four quick and easy-to-administer tests to assess a child's early processing skills, which underpin language development. These tests have been shown to be reliable and can help identify potential language disorders in pre-schoolers, enabling earlier and more targeted intervention.
Researchers found that green consumers face difficulties deciding which product to buy due to conflicting values and lack of information. The study identifies three types of green consumers: selectors, translators, and exceptors, highlighting the need for practical help and incentives to promote sustainable practices.
New research funded by the Economic & Social Research Council found that effective early childhood leadership involves distributed responsibility, skill acknowledgment, and a level of maturity within the organization. The study provides a guide for best practice in early childhood education and care.
A recent study found that individuals' annual travel is equivalent to 5.25 tonnes of carbon dioxide on average, with the top 20% of 'emitters' responsible for 61% of all travel emissions. High-income earners, particularly employed men, are among the largest contributors to climate change impact through their travel patterns.
A study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council highlights tensions between voluntary organizations supporting refugees and government funding rules. Voluntary groups resist pressures to deliver government policy, citing conflicts with client interests and potential harm to migrants.
A new study reveals that while more women are studying engineering, they often use it as a launchpad for other careers due to teaching methods and a male-dominated environment. Women value their novelty status but hold traditionally stereotypical views of themselves outside the profession.
A new study finds that UK and US Arab activists define themselves as members of multiple communities and express attachment to their countries of origin. They also value the rights and security offered by their adopted lands and advocate for mutual accommodation and respect between different groups.
Research by Dr David Voas reveals a significant shift in English church attendance, with Pentecostal churches experiencing rapid growth while Methodist numbers decline. The study highlights the role of African immigrants in driving this growth, particularly among predominantly black congregations in London.
A study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council shows that, over time, festivities replace hostilities in divorced families during Christmas. Parents share arrangements with their children and prioritize family connections, redefining divisions during this festive season.
A new study found that grandparents who attend church are more likely to produce church-going grandchildren, with those whose parents and grandparents attend being 36% more likely to attend themselves. This suggests a direct influence of grandparents on their grandchildren's religious practices.
The study found that online shoppers can reap big benefits from shopping on price comparison sites, including strategies to exploit targets of opportunity and compare services beyond prices. Retailers also use these sites to their advantage, with fierce competition driving price wars and collaborations to raise prices.
Juries are more likely to acquit defendants in rape cases where the victim was intoxicated, even if they were spiked with date rape drugs. The research found that jurors often relied on stereotypes and misunderstood the effects of Rohypnol, leading to inadequate convictions.
A new study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council found that UK street robbery is often driven by a desire for excitement, status, or self-defense. The research, conducted with 120 offenders, revealed that gratuitous violence used in street robbery is increasing and is linked to drug use and gang involvement.
Research by Dr David Voas at the University of Manchester found that women priests are nearly half of all ordained clergy and are more likely to serve in rural areas. The lack of women in leadership positions may contribute to the Church's declining population, with most male parish priests over 60.