Society Now Issue 13

PLUS Society N ow Society BY NUMBE rs ENERGY AND WAstE ESRCow RESEArcH MAKING AN IMPAct SUMMER 2012 ISSUE 13 Sixty years of change Britain during the Queen’s reign Seven days Under Voices: of science: pressure: The changing Showcasing Regulating face of charities research emotions and giving Welcome to the Summer issue of Society Now, the ESRC’s regular magazine which showcases the impact of the social science we fund. As the UK and the Commonwealth marked Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee this 18 Summer, ESRC experts give their views on the great changes that have taken place in British society in the 6o years since she was crowned. Academics offer their views on how the socioeconomic gap in university attendance can be reduced and, in the run-up to Rio+20, examine the multiple pathways that are needed to meet global sustainability challenges. We highlight the new Seven Days of Social Science videos that showcase the breadth of our 10 22 research, and take a look at a BBC online test that uses ESRC-funded research to investigate how people handle tasks under stress. And Professor Cathy Pharoah explains how recession has affected charities and considers how generous we are. I hope you find the magazine enjoyable and informative. Please do email us with your photography © Alamy unless otherwise marked feedback or ideas for content. 24 26 Society Now Nick Stevens, Editor - [email protected] All In this issue Features 10 Sixty years of change How has Britain changed in the 60 years REGULARS since Queen Elizabeth II was crowned and is it for the better? ESRC experts on 3 News economics, health, education, migration, 18 Opinions politics and family give their views on The views and whether we’ve ‘never had it so good’ statements Responding to global sustainability expressed in this challenges; Closing the university as Britain in the 1950s publication are attendance socioeconomic gap those of the authors 22 Seven days of science The ESRC Seven Days video series showcases and not necessarily 20 The UK by numbers: Energy and waste those of the ESRC the breadth of our research by exploring the 29 Information and updates themes of the well-known ‘Monday’s child is People, publications, news in brief, websites fair of face’ nursery rhyme and events 24 Performance under pressure CONTRIBUTORS A new BBC online test investigates whether an athlete’s techniques for mental preparation and Martin Ince is a freelance of Education, and Policy Melissa Leach is the regulation of emotions can be learned to science writer, media adviser Specialist, the Education Professorial Fellow at IDS, improve performance in other situations and media trainer. He was Partnership University of Sussex and previously deputy editor of STEPS Centre Director 26 Voices: The changing face of charity Professor the Times Higher Education Cathy Pharoah Professor Cathy Pharoah explains how is Co-Director of the is Head of Supplement, now THE Adrian Ely recession has affected charities’ income, ESRC Research Centre Impact and Engagement who the biggest donors are, whether there Jake Anders is an economics for Charitable Giving and at the STEPS Centre PhD Student at the Institute Philanthropy Research are simply too many charities vying for the same pot of money and how generous we are as a nation 2 SOCIETY NOW SUMMER 2012 Policymakers need to focus on disaffected minority groups n The lessons of longer compulsory education n Mixed impacts of FOI Act n A new view on older womenNEWS n Sleep solution to problem-solving n Finding a diet that works n Private insurance fails to convince better off n Online losers in love n Probation stereotypes outdated n Implications of hands-off sports coaching n Migrants lack school ‘choice’ n NEWS High costs of food bargains n Policymakers need to focus on disaffected minority groups ALMOST HALF OF THE UK’s Black found large generational increases are not at all attracted by terrorism – Caribbean citizens do not feel that the among ethnic minorities in terms of feel that British society does not treat British political system has treated their fluency in the English language, them equally and does not provide them fairly, according to a new study. in British citizenship and in social them with equal opportunities,” he “Many people may be surprised to learn contact with the white British – all says. “Rather, they face discrimination that in the UK it is Black Caribbeans, of which casts doubt on claims that in the labour market, from the police not Muslims, who are the group in minorities in Britain lead parallel lives.” and in society. And none of the British society who feel most alienated But researchers did identify some mainstream political parties appear and disaffected,” says researcher distinctive political concerns among to be taking concerns regarding Professor Anthony Heath. minority groups. “Unemployment was discrimination and equality seriously. Findings are based on interviews and questionnaires conducted among None of the mainstream political parties just under 3,000 people drawn from the UK’s five main minority groups appear to be taking concerns regarding (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Black “discrimination and equality seriously African and Black Caribbean). These ethnic minority groups were sampled a far bigger concern among minority “Finding ways to reintegrate these as a complement to the British Election groups than the white British,” Professor alienated young people who feel they Study (BES) which surveys the attitudes Heath points out. “We also found shared have no stake in society,” no job and and behaviour of the British electorate ethnic minority concern with securing no future is the real challenge that at every General Election. equal opportunities and overcoming policymakers need to address,” says The survey reveals that ethnic prejudice and discrimination. That Professor Heath. “If people (whether minority groups feel a strong duty these distinct ethnic concerns are not from the majority or minority group) to vote and are generally (with the currently reflected in the mainstream are unable to get what they think is exception of Black Caribbeans) more political agenda is significant as it a fair hearing for their grievances satisfied with, and more trusting of, may be fuelling feelings of exclusion, through conventional political British democracy than the white alienation and dissatisfaction held by channels, then we should not be British. Moreover, the great majority of some of our young, particularly Black surprised if they find other channels those surveyed claimed to ‘feel’ British. Caribbean, citizens.” for dissent.” n “We found a considerable increase Professor Heath suggests that across generations in the sense of policymakers’ focus on terrorism i Contact Professor Anthony Heath, British identity, with the great majority means they are neglecting important University of Manchester [email protected] of second-generation minorities having issues in the lives of the UK’s young Email Telephone 01865 553512 dual ethnic and British identities,” ethnic minority voters. “We found clear ESRC Grant Number RES-062-23-1953-A explains Professor Heath. “We also evidence that young Black men – who SUMMER 2012 SOCIETY NOW 3 IN BRIEF CITIES IN RECESSION What has been the impact of the recession on cities and households? A new study will use quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a systematic comparison of the experience of two English cities, Bristol and Liverpool. Researchers aim to develop our understanding of the relationship between economic crisis, global connectivity and the transnational processes shaping cities and the everyday lives of residents. ESRC grant number RES-062-23-2963 The lessons of longer PERFORMING FOR PAY Researchers will investigate compulsory education the incidence and effects of Performance-Related Pay (PRP) FOLLOWING THE 2008 Education been cancelled and preparations in Britain using the latest and Skills Act, the participation age for RPA have become more muted. available firm-level data and data in education and training is to be Second, implementation problems linking employees to firms. The raised to 17 in 2013 and 18 in 2015. But are now more likely in view of the study will explore reasons for the significant ‘teething’ problems should weakening position of local education incidence and growth of PRP in be expected, according to research into authorities which were originally Britain, the relationship between previous legislation from 1944 to 1979 expected to co-ordinate this work. PRP and firm performance, and to increase the UK school leaving age. Third, it is not yet clear exactly how consider PRP’s impact on wages Findings show that advances in the compulsion to participate in education and wage distribution. school leaving age during the twentieth will be enforced. ESRC grant number RES-062-23-3235 century (to 14 in 1918, to 15 in 1947 “Probably the greatest problem is and to 16 in 1972) were generally that while voluntary staying-on has GREENER HAIRDRESSING accompanied by bitter dispute and increased, with RPA there will be Hairdressers use a lot of energy, debate, as well as significant problems significant pockets of young people who water and chemicals. Despite in terms of the curriculum, pedagogy are not adequately catered for, who are increasing concern about the and teaching materials. unable to locate appropriate learning importance of sustainability, “Research shows that, despite opportunities and who find themselves there is little awareness in the considerable preparations for raising isolated on unsuitable courses – a hairdressing sector. This study the school leaving-age (ROSLA) in situation that may persist for a number aims to engage hairdressers 1972, certain schools and teachers of years,” warns Dr Woodin. in developing their own took considerable time to adjust to the “When the participation age is sustainability practices, and changes that occurred,” says researcher raised, it is likely to have a number as ‘catalytic individuals’ to Dr Tom Woodin.

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