About ESRC

The ESRC is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues.

It provides independent, high quality, relevant research to business, the public sector and Government. The ESRC planned total expenditure in 2007/08 is £181million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and research policy institutes.

The quality of life and economic well-being of the UK and its citizens are just two of the many, policy-relevant issues addressed by our portfolio of research and training activities. Comparative and international perspectives are strongly encouraged. For example, UK economic performance is increasingly dependent on the global economy, and economic distribution - both within and between countries and regions - is a major issue for social science research.

Every member of society benefits from the contribution the social sciences make to the UK's science base and public life.

More at www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk