'...an authoritative survey of social attitudes' -
The Daily Telegraph
'The most comprehensive study of public opinion' -
Financial Times
`The Rolls Royce of opinion surveys' -
The Times
The British Social Attitudes survey series is carried out by Britain's largest independent social research institute, the National Centre for Social Research. It provides an indispensable guide to current political and social issues in contemporary Britain.
The most comprehensive review of changing British social values available, the British Social Attitudes survey report is an essential reading for anyone seeking a guide to the topical issues and debates of today or engaged in contemporary social and political research.
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
Miranda works on a number of different attitudinal surveys, including British Social Attitudes - NatCen's longest-running survey. Miranda particularly enjoys designing questions and meeting NatCen's interviewers to brief them on that year's survey. She is also an editor of the annual report for the survey, and regularly gives interviews to journalists to explain the survey's findings. Miranda's particular interests include attitudes towards relationships and the family; and attitudes about the welfare system.
