The Latest Breaking News from the Economic and Social Research Council

A new Welsh electoral landscape puts Plaid Cymru within reach of power

Plaid Cymru’s electoral hopes for May’s Senedd election are high. Polls suggest the party is competing with Reform UK to emerge as the largest group in the next Welsh parliament, putting it, for the first time, within reach of leading a government in Wales.

The Conversation · Apr 27

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…

The Conversation · Apr 10

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.

The Conversation · Apr 2

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?

The Conversation · Nov 5, 2025

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 · Nov 3, 2025

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 · Oct 25, 2025

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 · Oct 22, 2025

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 · Oct 15, 2025

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 · Jul 25, 2025

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 · Jun 13, 2025