Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, speaks at University of Brighton

Ms Caroline Lucas explained that Members of Parliament need social science research to give their work a solid basis. She told the audience of 60 people that MPs often received anecdotal evidence about issues from their constituents. But what they also needed was firm evidence from good sources.

She said that MPs wanted clear bullet-point summaries about research, with hyperlinks to further information. They would benefit from knowing which key social science researchers they could phone for information. She had noted a change in the way that evidence was being used in Parliament. Select committees were increasing their influence and power but the research they drew upon was of variable quality, possibly because civil servants were generalists. She suggested that social scientists in higher education should try to meet committee members early in the committee process to inform this.

(Left to right) Madeleine Burrows (Academy of Social Science); Dinah Rajak (University of Sussex); James Wilsdon (Campaign for Social Science and University of Sussex), Caroline Lucas (MP for Brighton Pavilion), Bruce Brown (pro Vice Chancellor Research), David Taylor (Dean of the College of Social Sciences)

Professor Bruce Brown, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Brighton, spoke about the importance of innovation rather than incremental research in dealing with important challenges. The creation of a College of Social Sciences at Brighton was intended to foster work across disciplines as part of this.

Dr Dinah Rajak, Senior Lecturer in Anthropology Development at the University of Sussex, which also 

organised the event, called for a removal of the focus on short-term impact when assessing the worth of research, in favour of more focused research which could make a difference. The event was chaired by Professor David Taylor, Dean of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Brighton. Professor James Wilsdon, Chair of the Campaign for Social Science, also spoke at the event, which is part of a series of roadshows being held in the UK.