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The Latest Breaking News from the Economic and Social Research Council

May elections: what five politics experts are looking out for

On May 7 2026, voters in England, Scotland and Wales will head to the polls. Parliamentary elections are taking place in the devolved Welsh Senedd Cymru and Scottish Parliament, and local elections for over 4,850 councillor roles could have huge implications for local governments throughout England. With all to play…

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The school you go to affects whether you become Neet – new research

Almost 1 million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training. These so-called Neets – aged 16 to 24 – face a significantly higher risk of long-term unemployment, poor health and involvement in crime.

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Ukraine war: after four surprising years, where does it go next? Experts give their view

Four years ago, on February 24 2022, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced that his forces had begun a full-scale invasion of Ukraine – the reasons for which we have explored here. Within minutes, explosions were heard in major Ukrainian cities as Russian troops flooded across the border.

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Developmental language disorder can have life-long effects – and it’s easily missed in multilingual children

Six-year-old Antoni, born in the UK to Polish parents, speaks only a few English words in class and often looks confused when the teacher gives instructions. He could simply be adjusting to English – or the problem could be developmental language disorder (DLD), a condition that severely impairs a child’s…

The Conversation

Why public views of terrorism don’t match the evidence, and what the government needs to do to keep people safe

The mass shooting during Hanukkah in Bondi Beach is a horrific reminder that contemporary terrorism can affect the places where we meet others, shop, celebrate and conduct our daily lives. However, our research suggests that what the UK public fears and assumes about terrorism threats is quite different from reality.

The Conversation

How wealth and postcode affect children with special educational needs

A new report from social mobility charity the Sutton Trust shows that children from poorer families are more likely to have special educational needs. It also shows that children from wealthier families who have some kind of special educational need are more likely to get support.

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Why even pro-climate action organisations may pull in different directions

This year’s UN climate summit (Cop30) in Belém, Brazil, begins with a familiar dilemma: how can we tackle a highly political, long-term problem that involves every country of the world?

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Involving women in peace deals reduces chance of a conflict restarting by up to 37%

Twenty-five years ago, on October 31, 2000, the United Nations unanimously adopted its landmark security council resolution 1325 (WPS 1325). The resolution on women, peace and security reaffirmed “the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction”.…

The Conversation

Autism charities can portray autistic people as helpless and a burden – our research shows why it matters

Autism charities are important organisations. They provide essential services for autistic people, influence policy decisions, and often speak on behalf of autistic people.

The Conversation

Cannabis boom in South Africa and Zimbabwe is good for wealthy investors, bad for small farmers

Cannabis is booming as an ingredient in everything from supplementary oils, inflammation-reducing skin creams, lip balms to health drinks and gummy sweets that promise to reduce anxiety and pain and promote relaxation.

The Conversation

White British families more likely to depend on grandparents for childcare – our research explores why

About two-thirds of people in the UK will become grandparents during their lifetime. Half of those grandparents will provide some form of care to their grandchildren. But who makes up that half depends on a number of factors. One of these is ethnicity.

The Conversation

Fear of crime is a useful political tool, even if the data doesn’t back it up

“We’re actually facing, in many parts of our country, nothing short of societal collapse.” This was the dire warning from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, in setting out his party’s goal of halving crime.

The Conversation

Nine-year-olds in England sit timed multiplication test – but using times tables is about more than quick recall

What’s seven times nine? Quick, you’ve got six seconds to answer.

The Conversation

Teachers knew what children needed to recover from the pandemic – but their insights were ignored

Five years have passed since schools and nurseries closed in England as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns. This unprecedented disruption to children’s normal routines created considerable concern – both at the time and in the years since.

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Denying compensation to ‘Waspi’ women over pension changes could be a missed opportunity

Governments around the world have addressed the challenge of increasing life expectancy and declining birth rates by raising the pension age. The UK is no exception. The challenge this creates for governments is the thorny dual issue of rising care costs for the ageing population while fewer taxpayers support the…

The Conversation

Starmer’s plan to ‘build baby build’ risks more American-style car-dominated sprawl

The UK’s Labour government has promised to “take an axe to red tape” through “bold reforms to the planning system”. It hopes to kickstart economic growth by generating the “biggest building boom in a generation”.

The Conversation

Women are three times as likely as men to feel unsafe in parks – here’s how we can design them better

Parks and other green spaces are vital for life in a city, providing places to exercise, relax or meet friends. But for many women, these spaces can feel unwelcoming and unsafe. Concerns about personal safety can create significant barriers for women and girls, reducing their access to the benefits these…

The Conversation

Only 6% of gen Z actually favour dictatorship – not half, as some reports would have you believe

America’s constitutional framework was designed specifically to prevent the concentration of power and to impede any president’s authoritarian aspirations. It is certainly being put to the test right now.

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Almost 2 million people in the UK didn’t have the right ID to vote in 2024

The 2024 general election was the first in the UK’s history to be run under a system of voter ID. When heading to the polling station, people could only vote if they proved their identity first. This was the result of a law brought in in 2023 and that had…

The Conversation

Women are seen as ‘saviours’ or ‘victims’ in climate change debates: why this is a problem

Certain stereotypes about women have become commonplace in climate and development literature. One example is that women are either represented as “saviours” who protect nature, or as “victims” more vulnerable to climate impacts than men and less equipped to cope.

The Conversation

The gas crisis is not over yet

Policy and luck have bought Europe a reprieve from the heights gas prices reached between the winters of 2022 and 2023, but prices are climbing again and the global gas market remains precariously balanced.

The Conversation

UK public is becoming more ‘carbon capable’ – here’s what that means

As climate change intensifies, rising public awareness and incremental behavioural changes will hopefully evolve into transformative action. We investigate how lifestyles and systems of governance need to change to bring about a sustainable, low-carbon future in the UK.

The Conversation

Do we have more empathy for people who are similar to us? New research suggests it’s not that simple

How do people successfully interact with those who are completely different from them? And can these differences create social barriers? Social scientists are struggling with these questions because the mental processes underlying social interactions are not well understood.

The Conversation

Post Office scandal: why thousands of victims are yet to see justice

Following the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which aired on January 1 2024, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak stated he intends to introduce legislation to ensure those convicted as a result of the Post Office scandal are “swiftly exonerated and compensated”.

The Conversation

'Just the rich can do it': our research shows how immigration income requirements devastate families

The government has announced a host of new restrictions aimed at cutting net migration to the UK. Headline announcements include increasing the salary requirements for skilled foreign workers from £26,200 to £38,700, and banning health and care workers from bringing family dependants to the UK.

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