Government Social Research
Published: 5.3.2004
Coordinated by: Communications Committee
Welcome to the first new look GSR newsletter. This newsletter showcases the new GSR logo, and contains information on conferences, a spotlight on DWP and a 'virtual interview' between Sue Duncan and external stakeholders who were recently interviewed by GSR Communications Committee members.
Diskus Conference Centre, London (Theobald Road)
A GSR new recruits conference was held for the first time on Friday 5th December 2003. This conference provided an opportunity for those who have recently joined the government as social researchers to learn more about GSR and to meet other new recruits, the Government Chief Social Researcher (Sue Duncan), Heads of Profession and members of the GSR Committees. The event included a joint presentation from Paul Wiles, Director of Research, Development and Statistics (RDS) at the Home Office and Norman Glass, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Social Research and a session on integrating analysis. The Government Chief Social Researcher's Office (GCSRO) also used the conference to showcase the work they have been doing on creating a new visual identity for GSR and developing a GSR website.
If you would like any further information about this event please contact Correna Callender (020 7276 1579)
Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh (Charlotte Street)
The next GSR conference is taking place in Edinburgh during 10th-12th March 2004. The theme of the conference will be 'Delivering on Evidence'. The programme for the conference will include plenary sessions with key speakers, as well as workshops providing opportunities for GSR members to present and discuss their work. It is expected that approximately 220 GSR members will take part in the event, providing a great opportunity for people to meet and share their knowledge - as well as enjoy the experience of being in Edinburgh. The conference organisation is being co-ordinated by Sara Dodds at the Scottish Executive, working with the 3 GSR Committees (Heads of Profession, Training, and Communications) who all contribute to the planning and running of GSR conferences.
If you have any queries about the 2004 event please contact Sara Dodds (0131 244 3788)
Social researchers in DWP work closely with a wide range of analysts - economists, statisticians and operational researchers to provide integrated analytical support to the Department in its key delivery objectives. Social research is split into six main areas...
> Read the full article: Spotlight on DWP
The last few months have been a very busy time for my team.
One of our main concerns has been creating more cohesion within GSR and fostering better communication between Departments. We're also keen to raise GSR's profile both within and outside government. We need to tell policy colleagues, non government researchers and potential recruits who we are - professional discipline based policy analysts who provide high quality evidence-based research for government and have a major impact on policy development. In order to facilitate all of this we have developed a bold new visual identity and designed a website, both of which will be launched at the forthcoming conference in Edinburgh...
> Read more about this and other GCSRO work , including our consultancy services, training courses and work with the Training Committee on a GSR skills audit
Members of the GSR Communications Committee recently interviewed a small sample of senior representatives of external research organisations to explore their views on important issues facing GSR.
The interviews provided a lot of thought-provoking and often very challenging material. This article presents 4 of the key comments made by the external stakeholders about things that could be done better (in bold) and provides an opportunity for Sue Duncan, Government Chief Social Researcher, to respond to each, as well as make an assessment of the key priorities now for GSR...
> Read the full Virtual Dialogue
View the most recent statistics on GSR - staff numbers, vacancies and recruitment activity.