The indispensable annual British Social Attitudes survey compiles, describes and comments on a range of current social attitudes. The series charts changes in British social values, with annual surveys carried out from a nationwide sample of around 3,500 people by the National Centre for Social Research's team of interviewers. The 18th Report summarizes and interprets data from the most recent survey, and makes comparisons with findings from previous years. Britain is a well-documented nation. We know a lot about the characteristics of our society - who we are and what we do. We know much less about what we think and feel about our world and ourselves.
Alison joined NatCen in 1991, after completing an M.Phil. in Sociology at Nuffield College, Oxford. Her core areas of research are social, political and moral attitudes and values. As Head of Society and Social Change, Alison manages the team responsible for the British Social Attitudes Survey series. These annual surveys focus on people's attitudes towards a wide range of issues, and the results form the basis of an annual book, published by Sage. Alison is closely involved with the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), a cross-national study of social attitudes, and is the ESRC-funded UK Co-ordinator for the 2002 to 2012 rounds of the European Social Survey. She makes regular radio and television contributions concerning social trends, and was a member of the 2003 Fabian Society Commission on the Future of the Monarchy. John Curtice is a Research Consultant at the Scottish Centre for Social Research, Deputy Director of CREST, and Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University. Katarina Thomson is a freelance editor and a former Research Director at NatCen Catherine is involved in a number of ScotCen's studies with a particular focus on surveys. She has been director of the 2008-11 Scottish Health Survey and is involved in all stages of the project from questionnaire design through to reporting. The wide range of topics and policy areas covered in this one study make it a fascinating project to work on: from child obesity to adult dental health and alcohol consumption. As Deputy Director of ScotCen Catherine is also very involved in the day to day management of the organization, but maintains a strong involvement with projects, meaning that her research skills are put to good use regularly. Research interests Attitude formation Elections Governance and democracy
Poverty and Social Security - John Hills What Rights? Whose Responsibilities? Just a Piece of Paper? - Anne Barlow, Simon Duncan, Grace James and Alison Park Marriage and Cohabitation Teenage Mums - Lynda Clarke and Katarina Thomson The NHS and Labour's Battle for Public Opinion - Jo-Ann Mulligan and John Appleby Genetic Research - Nina Stratford, Theresa Marteau and Martin Bobrow Friend or Foe? How Green are our Values? - Ian Christie and Lindsey Jarvis Internet Use - Jonathan Gardner and Andrew Oswald The Digital Divide How Robust is British Civil Society? - Michael Johnston and Roger Jowell Political Engagement, Trust and Constitutional Reform - Catherine Bromley, John Curtice and Ben Seyd Is Devolution Strengthening or Weakening the UK? - John Curtice and Ben Seyd The Conservatives and Europe - Geoffrey Evans Waving or Drowning?
'I've always enjoyed reading the British Social Attitudes survey, which shows what the British people really think, as opposed to what journalists and politicians like to pretend they think' - John Pilger 'The most trustworthy and comprehensive guide we possess' - The Guardian
