The Policy System Needs More Social Science

Why It Matters

Embedding social science expertise will improve policy relevance and effectiveness, addressing societal inequalities that pure STEM‑driven approaches overlook. Stronger evidence infrastructure can enhance the UK’s innovation outcomes and public trust.

Key Takeaways

• New UK "school of government" to train senior civil servants.
• Emphasizes social science alongside STEM in policy formulation.
• 80% of research topics sought by government are social science.
• Calls for dedicated Government Office for Social and Behavioural Science.
• Limited social science advisors in GO‑Science; capacity needs expansion.

Pulse Analysis

The UK’s policy apparatus has long leaned on STEM and economic analysis, often sidelining the nuanced insights that social science can provide. Recent research shows that roughly eight out of ten departmental research queries revolve around societal issues, yet the existing evidence infrastructure lacks dedicated leadership for these topics. By creating a formal training pathway for senior officials, the government acknowledges that effective policy requires an interdisciplinary toolkit that includes behavioural economics, sociology, and geography.

The newly announced school of government represents a strategic shift toward professionalising the use of social science in decision‑making. Training modules on AI, data, and digital transformation will sit alongside curricula on social research methods, encouraging civil servants to commission and interpret evidence beyond cost‑benefit models. This approach mirrors successful initiatives in other jurisdictions, such as Scotland’s Chief Social Researcher role, and could pave the way for a stand‑alone Government Office for Social and Behavioural Science that coordinates expertise across departments.

If the government follows through with expanded staffing and funding, the impact could be profound. More robust societal evidence would help address entrenched inequalities, improve the targeting of public services, and increase public confidence in policy outcomes. Moreover, integrating social science at senior levels may accelerate the translation of research into actionable programs, ensuring that the UK’s innovation agenda is grounded in the lived realities of its citizens. The success of this initiative will likely set a benchmark for evidence‑based governance worldwide.