Government Social Research
The purpose of this event (held on 24th January 2008) was encourage the development of a network between social researchers in Wales, and in particular those based in the Welsh Assembly Government and Office for National Statistics in Newport. The event was very well attended with some 80 delegates taking part, thirty of which were from WAG.
Professor Paul Wiles - Head of Government Social Research -opened the event, and made a number of points regarding government social research in Wales. In particular he highlighted how devolution has created potential for experimentation in the approach to social research and policymaking, where the UK’s “highly centralised” arrangements had less capacity to do so.
Looking to the future, Paul identified ways in which GSR could help social researchers in Wales to develop good working relationships. He identified a need for:
Other features of the day included an overview of social research in WAG, given by Angela Evans, Chief Social Research Officer. John Kinder, Deputy Director of the Social and Vital Statistics (SVS) Division-ONS, gave an overview of the work done in SVS. Finally an overview of Social Research in the Social and Economic Micro Analysis Division (SEMARD) - ONS was given by Paul Allin, Deputy Director.
Delegates participated enthusiastically and generated a wide range of excellent ideas such as further joint seminars, shared training events, working together on common research definitions, job shadowing and secondments and further involvement in social research networks such as SRA Cymru and Evaluation Cymru. (To find out more about SRA Cymru and Evaluation Cymru please contact Naomi Copestake in OCSRO at naomi.copestake@wales.gsi.gov.uk