Main trends of research in the social and human ... - unesdoc - Unesco

The organization and financing of research 743
various disciplines for the solution of common problems which transcend particular
specialities.
The Council has gone on to suggest a development plan for the social sciences.
The report to UNESCO advocates the foundation of a German Council for the
Social Sciences which would not only coordinate financial resources and estab-
lish a central documentation centre, but, with the participation of leading
bodies, would:
a. work out a framework of programmes for specially difficult research projects
and
b. delegate the handling of detailed questions to member organizations.
If, as seems likely, such an organization comes into being, it wil represent a
further development of the pattern already evolving.
49. In Britain a Social Science Research Council, established as a result of
the report of the Heyworth Committee, has been functioning for three years. It
belongs to the system of autonomous research councils evolving in Britain since
before World War I. These councils are the principal means through which
government funds for scientific as distinct from technological research are ad-
ministered. Though appointed by the Minister of Education and Science and
provided with a civil service secretariat, they are independent bodies consisting
largely, though not entirely, of scientists, key user-interests being included. They
comprise in addition to the Social Science Research Council, the Science Council
(for the physical and biological sciences), the Medical Research Council, the
Agricultural Research Council and the Natural Resources Research Council.
The Council on Scientific Policy, linked to a wider committee which includes
technology, advises on overall allocation of resourses. The research councils
work in collaboration with the University Grants Committee and are repre-
sented on the Council on Scientific Policy. Individual government departments
have separate research budgets for work in their own fields of interest.
50. The Social Science Research Council was brought into existence by the
need of government to review the contribution of the social sciences to the life
of the society, the performance of the economy and the process of government.
Its establishment marked a phase change in the relation of the social sciences to
society. The main recommendations of the Heyworth Committee (apart from
the financial aspects already noted) will serve to bring out the comprehensive
character of its mandate:
Our chief recommendation is for the establishment of a Social Science Research
Council, to provide support for research, to keep under review the state of research,
to advise the Government on the needs of social science research, to keep under review
the supply of trained research workers, to disseminate information and to give advice
on research in the social sciences and its application.
We have considered proposals for separate Research Councils for Education and
the ‘Built Environment’; we consider that these needs wil best be met in the case of
education by special organizational arrangements within the Social Science Research
Council and, in the case of the ‘Built Environment’, through a joint board of the Re-
search Councils concerned.
The Council should consist of an independent chairman and about ten ”or twelve
members appointed by the Secretary of State for Education and Science, of whom the
majority should be social scientists. Some members should be men of practical expe-