Levelling Up Economic and Social Outcomes Across the UK
In November, the work of SSESW colleagues was recognised by the Academy of Social Sciences in their report The place to be: How social sciences are helping to improve places in the UK. The report includes 24 case studies illustrating how research by university-based social scientists is having real-life impact as pipelines are created to connect evidence to the policies and practice aimed at levelling up economic and social outcomes across the UK.
The SSESW case study in the report summarises the interdisciplinary work (Criminology and Social Policy) of Colm Walsh, Shadd Maruna and Dirk Schubotz that seeks to increase understanding of the specific individual and background features that place some people at elevated risk of engaging in paramilitary violence and organised crime, and to help develop policy responses that reduce participation.
Colm Walsh, who leads the programme, commented: 'Although still in its infancy, it's fantastic to have the ‘paramilitarism and criminality’ work recognised by the Academy, and at a UK level. These projects reflect a genuine partnership between researchers, policy makers and practitioners who are often trying to understand and respond to complex and wicked problems. I am excited to see how these projects develop, and ultimately, to see how the work will have a tangible impact on people's lives'.