Social Science Research Committee - Food Standards Agency

Annual Report
April 2009 – March 2010
Social Science Research Committee

Social Science Research Committee
Annual Report: April 2009 – March 2010

Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010

Contents
Page
Foreword 3
1. Introduction 4
2. About the SSRC 5
3. Committee Membership 7
4. The SSRC’s Work in 2009/2010
2009 2010 16
Glossary 22
Annex 1 SSRC Code of Practice 23
Annex 2 SSRC Work Programme for 2008 31
Annex 3 Listeria Working Group Scope of Work 34
Annex 4 SSRC Members – Register of Members Interests 36
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010

Foreword
I am pleased to present the second Annual Report of the Social Science Research
Committee (SSRC) covering the financial year 2009–2010.
The Committee’s second year has been a full one. We have made significant
progress on the work we started in our first year and have also become more
closely involved in the Agency’s wider role in relation to food safety.
In particular, the Agency’s Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of
Food (ACMSF) sought the Committee’s advice on whether the food consumption characteristics, storage and
food preparation patterns among people aged over 60 might be contributing to their raised incidence of
listeriosis. This was our first experience of cross-committee collaboration. When we presented our report to
the ACMSF in September, I am glad to say that our recommendations were accepted and are now being
taken forward by the Agency. We hope to get involved in more work with Scientific Advisory Committees in
the coming years.
As a social survey specialist, I am particularly pleased that the Agency adopted the SSRC’s recommendation to
establish a regular new time series on public attitudes and behaviour in relation to food. The first round of
the Food Issues Survey is already in the field and a second wave is being prepared for 2011. Apart from its
primary goal of monitoring and understanding people’s attitudes, perceptions and behaviour patterns, the
survey will also prove valuable as a potential sampling frame for further research among people with certain
characteristics that would otherwise be difficult to locate.
We have also recommended to the ACMSF a small project into kitchen behaviour in an attempt to identify
possible factors in the spread of listeriosis. Meanwhile, we are developing a special module on attitudes to risk
and their relationship to food choices for inclusion in the 2011 survey. Members of the SSRC are closely
involved in these developments.
In 2009–2010 the secretariat and members of the Committee served on the commissioning panel set up to
determine the first project as part of a strategic partnership we have forged with the Economic and Social
Research Council (ESRC). We are working with the successful applicant – the Thomas Coram Research Unit at
the Institute of Education (IoE).
During the year other work has included contributing to Agency consultations on its portfolio of nutrition
research and to its response to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s (BBSRC’s) new
food sustainability programme.
I regret to say that this will be my last report in this role as I am stepping down as Chair following the
Committee’s meeting in April 2010. I have greatly enjoyed working with the SSRC and the Agency and am
pleased that we have collectively made such a sure start to our work. My warm thanks go to the members of
the SSRC for their insight and energy and, on their behalf and mine, to the secretariat for their continued
efficiency and commitment. Jane Barrett and her colleagues deserve our warm congratulations and a big
vote of thanks.
Professor Sir Roger Jowell
Chair
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
1. Introduction
This is the second annual report of the Social Science Research Committee (SSRC) and covers the financial
year 2009–2010.
The SSRC is one of the Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs) that advise the Food Standards Agency. It
was established in April 2008 to help the Agency strengthen its capacity for social science research and to
provide advice to the Agency about how it gathers and uses social science evidence.
The SSRC is one of the Agency’s cross-cutting committees (the other being the General Advisory
Committee on Science – GACS 1 ) and so works across the remit of the Agency.
The Committee met twice in the reporting period (20 May 2009 and 20 October 2009). Established subgroups
built on the work started in 2008 in specific areas:
● Providing assurance that social science research is included appropriately in the Agency’s Science
and Evidence Strategy
● Overseeing the pilot and testing phases of the Food Issues Survey (FIS) in advance of fieldwork
commencing in March 2010
● Commissioning a project in response to the first joint call as part of the Agency’s strategic
collaboration with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
● A working group advised how social science evidence could help explain why people over the
age of 60 are more susceptible to listeriosis than other age groups
In addition, the Committee has supported the Agency in using and further developing the Register of
Specialists as a tool to engage experts in different social science and related fields with the Agency’s social
science research.
This annual report sets out the work undertaken during the Committee’s second year.
1 For more information on GACS see gacs.food.gov.uk/

2. About the SSRC
The Agency’s Strategic Plan 2005–2010 and accompanying Science and Evidence Strategy 2005–2010,
recognised the need to increase access to the social sciences to enhance the Agency’s evidence base and
help it to develop, implement and assess the social impact of its advice and policies 2 .
The Agency’s capacity for social science has been strengthened over the past two and a half years. The
Agency draws on the expertise of the Social Science Research Unit (SSRU) and advice from the SSRC in
developing its social science evidence base.
Furthermore, the Agency’s new Strategic Plan (2010-2015 3 ) highlights the importance of a science and
evidence base to deliver the strategic objective:
“to improve food safety and the balance of people’s diet by 2015”
The accompanying Science and Evidence Strategy 2010-2015 4 details how the Agency will use science and
evidence to deliver this objective, including a key role for social science research in the underlying priority
evidence themes aimed at addressing the strategic outcomes.
The next five years will be an exciting and challenging time for the Committee to build upon its successes
over the first two years and continue to support the Agency in delivering its new strategy.
Committee remit:
The SSRC was formally established in April 2008 5 . Sir Roger Jowell was appointed chair together with
11 members – 9 independent expert members and 2 lay members 6 . Agency Scientific Advisory Committees
(SACs) have deputy chairs and Peter Jackson was nominated as deputy chair by SSRC members.
During its second year the SSRC has successfully helped the Agency strengthen its capacity for social
science research and over the next five years will continue to do so. It provides assurance to the Agency’s
Board about how the Agency gathers and uses social science evidence and advice.
The terms of reference for the Social Science Research Committee are:
● To advise and critically assess how the Agency gathers and uses social science evidence and advice
● To draw on wider expertise, as appropriate, to provide independent critique on social science
based evidence
● To support the Agency develop its social science capacity by advising how social science can
best contribute to meeting the Agency’s strategic aims
● To keep the Agency in touch with relevant social science activity both in the UK and internationally
2 FSA strategic plan 2005–2010: food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/stratplan0510.pdf
Science and Evidence strategy 2005–2010: food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/sciencestrategy.pdf
3 food.gov.uk/aboutus/publications/busreps/strategicplan/
4 food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/publication/sciencestrategy0210.pdf
5 The appointments process was carried out in accordance with best practice guidelines set out by the Office for the commission of Public
Appointments. For more information see: publicappointmentscommissioner.org/
6 Section 3 provides details of the chair and members. Biographies of SSRC members can be found at ssrc.food.gov.uk/aboutus/membersofssrc
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
SSRC secretariat:
The SSRC is supported in its work by a secretariat drawn from Agency staff based in the SSRU. The
secretariat members are:
Jane Barrett,
Secretary and Head of
Social Science Research Siân Thomas Jude Heller Gerard Melder
How the SSRC operates:
The SSRC meets twice a year. Details of the SSRC members’ roles and responsibilities are provided in the
SSRC Code of Practice 7 . This was agreed by the Committee at the inaugural SSRC meeting in July 2008.
All SAC members are public appointments and as such are expected to provide details of any interests
they may hold and the approach to declaring any interests has been set out in the SSRC Code of Practice.
The SSRC secretariat has produced a Register of Members’ interests 8 . The register is a living document and
members are asked to provide an update should their registered interests change.
During its second year, the SSRC met on 20 May and 20 October 2009. Both meetings were open to the
public and observers were encouraged to attend. Meeting papers were posted on the SSRC pages of the
Agency’s website in advance of each meeting and minutes were added soon after each meeting 9 .
In its first year the SSRC formed three sub-groups and one working group to take forward work in specific
areas. The progress of these groups during year two are provided in section 4.
7 Annex 1: SSRC Code of Practice
8 Annex 4: SSRC Register of Members’ interests ; the Register of Members’ interests can also be found at
ssrc.food.gov.uk/aboutus/ssrcmemberinterests
9 Full details of the agenda, papers and minutes of the meetings are available at
ssrc.food.gov.uk/meetings/

3. Membership
Committee members bring a wide range of expertise in the social sciences including geography, social
anthropology, sociology, economics, population studies, psychology, environmental health, public health
nutrition, government (local and central) and the voluntary sector. 10
The chair of the SSRC and each of the members set out below what their individual disciplines and areas
of expertise bring to the Agency and its work.
Roger Jowell
Roger is the Director of the Centre for Comparative Social Surveys at City University London and
the International Coordinator of the European Social Survey (ESS). He is also the Deputy Chair of
the UK Statistics Authority
My whole professional background has been in social research with a strong focus
on monitoring and interpreting social and political change. Having co-founded
and directed the National Centre for Social Research (formerly SCPR) for nearly
thirty years, I have since founded a new academic centre for comparative
research at City University, which is the headquarters institution of the ESS – a
34-nation biennial survey of value change throughout Europe.
While at NatCen, I co-directed the British Election Series and the British Social
Attitudes survey time series (in each case from 1983 to 2000). This experience
prompted me to initiate a Food Issues Survey here at the Agency which I am delighted to report has
readily been adopted as part of its regular programme of research. The survey’s purpose is to monitor
people’s changing attitudes and behaviour in relation to food. It will complement the regular scientific
research which the Agency already produces.
My recent experience of research throughout Europe suggests strongly to me that the great divide that
once existed between scientific research on the one hand and social scientific research on the other is
now being breached – a welcome and long overdue development which I have pursued throughout my
research career.
10 Biographies of SSRC members can be found at
ssrc.food.gov.uk/aboutus/membersofssrc
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
Mary Brennan
Mary is a senior lecturer in marketing at the University of Newcastle
I am a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. I am
degree programme director of the successful BSc. (Hons) Marketing programme
at Newcastle and heavily involved in the delivery of our new MSc. Advanced Food
Marketing.
My primary research specialises in Food and Social Marketing. I have gained
extensive food related consumer and policy research experience over the ten
years of my academic career. I have led or been involved in a range of food
related research projects including projects on domestic food safety practices (Food Safety Promotions
Board Ireland); communicating food risk uncertainty to the public (Food Standards Agency); consumer
quality and safety perceptions of organic and low input food (EU Framework 6 Programme); and lay and
expert engagement (ESRC Science in Society programme).
I have published in a range of journals including: Appetite, Food Quality and Preference; Journal of Food
Safety; Public Understanding of Science; British Food Journal and the Journal of Marketing Management.
In addition, I am currently Chair of the International Life Sciences Institute’s Consumer Science Expert
Group on Consumers Risk Perception of Food Choice. The common thread that has flowed through my
research investigations has been the dilemma, faced by many different food policy and practice
stakeholders, of little or no behavioural change amongst the public with respect to a variety of public
health and food safety campaigns.
During the last year I have been a member of the working group set up to advise and support the ACMSF
in relation to listeria and the over 60s; and contributed to the advice note prepared for the ACMSF.
Dr Steven Cummins
Steven is Senior Lecturer and NIHR Fellow in the Department of Geography, Queen Mary
University of London
I am an interdisciplinary social science researcher with training in geography,
epidemiology and public health. My primary areas of expertise lie in the contextual
and socio-environmental determinants of health (particularly the environmental risk
factors for poor diet and diet-related chronic disease); the design and evaluation of
community social and policy interventions to improve population health and the
consumer consequences of food retail restructuring.
Such interests go some way in helping the SSRC develop informed and well-rounded
research and policy options that tackle the current major policy issues that fall within the Agency’s remit
including obesity prevention, changing dietary behaviour and helping to protect consumer choice with
particular emphasis on issues of food access and affordability.

Seeing the challenges the Agency faces through a geographical lens allows a unique perspective – how
human behaviour is shaped by, and related to, the wider social, cultural, political and environmental context.
Understanding these relationships and processes will allow the development of better research, and in turn,
better policy.
I have contributed to the Committee’s response to a number of the Agency’s consultations, including the
Review of Nutrition Programmes and the Agency’s Strategic Plan 2010–2015. In addition, I have reviewed
and provided advice on a number of Agency research projects. I also provided comments on a late draft
of the Agency’s new Science and Evidence Strategy 2010–2015 to ensure that social science research was
properly integrated and represented within the Agency’s future plans.
Joy Dobbs
Joy works for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) but is currently on secondment as a
consultant to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations
Knowledge, expertise and experience in social surveys and survey methods has
enabled me to give advice to ensure the survey research carried out by the
Agency is of good quality and uses appropriate methods, so that the Agency’s
findings will be credible, accepted and trusted by all.
Experience of drawing up and implementing strategies and programmes of
research has enabled me to advise on the social science research strategy and
how best to implement it.
Experience of managing research within Government departments has allowed me to advise on what is
important and achievable for a research strategy within an organisation like the Agency, especially the
need for policy relevance and what is realistic within the practical and other constraints.
Experience of working with ESRC in other fields has been useful in me assisting Jane and colleagues in
setting up the joint Agency/ESRC research collaboration and the call for research proposals.
Previous knowledge and experience of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) has enabled me to
advise on how to make best use of this important resource to assist other social science work, including
the work with the ESRC.
During the Committee’s second year, in addition to contributing actively to discussions at SSRC meetings,
I have worked on two main areas. First, the FSA/ESRC strategic partnership and first research call, for which
my previous experience of working with ESRC was valuable and where I sat on the commissioning panel.
Second, the new Food Issues Survey – as an active member of the FIS advisory group my survey
experience and expertise has proved helpful to the SSRU project managers.
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
Ben Fine
Ben is Professor of Economics at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
I have developed my own approach to the determinants of consumption in
general, the systems of provision approach, and have applied it in particular to the
food system. For this, it is seen to be necessary to study the determinants of
consumption all along the chain of provision as an integral structure, and to see
the material processes, structures and agents involved, from producers through to
the consumers themselves, as simultaneously creating and reflecting upon the
meanings of foods that are generated and the roles they play in daily lives.
Such an approach allows for an understanding both of the departure of patterns of food consumption away
from recommended healthy diets, and how campaigns to improve diets may or may not be effective. The
system of provision approach has been applied in detail to the UK, with special attention to the dairy, meat
and sugar systems. And it can also shed light on the growing and shifting incidence of eating disorders.
The approach also offers a framework within which continuing study of the determinants of eating habits
can be incorporated.
As a committee member, over the last 12 months I have contributed to the SSRC’s response to FSA public
consultations including the FSA Strategic Plan 2010–2015 and The Nutrition Review. I have also played an
active role at committee meetings particularly in relation to people’s changing behaviours in the recession
and how this impacts on the work of the Agency and the SSRC.
Arthur Fleiss
Arthur formerly worked in government research, latterly at the Department for Work and
Pensions. In 2009 he gained a German translation diploma
I studied social anthropology at Cambridge and Sussex, gaining a D.Phil. in 1973.
Understanding cultural and social influences on people’s perceptions, world views
and behaviour has been central to my research career which, alarmingly, now
spans 35 years. I’ve covered a lot of ground in the public and voluntary sectors,
much of it doing policy related research and evaluation in government. I designed
and managed the first evaluation of Jobseeker’s Allowance in the mid 1990s and,
most recently, led a Department for Work and Pensions research programme on
pensions, including attitudes and behaviour relating to retirement saving. In the
mid 1980s I led the evaluation of a large programme of appropriate technologies in Mali, West Africa
which presented both methodological and ethical challenges – for example, conducting research on the
use of fuel efficient stoves at a time of food scarcity in parts of Mali. I’ve also conducted research and
evaluation on the Indian subcontinent and in Kenya and Madagascar and, while working for the Wellcome
Trust, researched public engagement with scientific topics and scientists’ communication with the public.

My experience of designing, commissioning and managing research on a wide range of topics in and
outside government has provided valuable lessons for my SSRC work. To influence attitudes and behaviour
relating to food safety and consumption the Agency requires a detailed understanding of the role of food
in people’s lives: how purchase, preparation and consumption are linked to the priorities, economic
circumstances, lifestages, background and culture of different individuals and social groups. Robust social
research evidence on the complexities and interplay of these factors will enable the Agency to devise and
implement appropriate interventions.
Working with Ministers and policy managers, and designing, managing and commissioning research in so
many different contexts has given me an excellent understanding of appropriate research methods, of
research procurement and of the importance of ethical considerations.
In the second year of the SSRC, having helped review the Agency’s Consumer Attitudes Survey, I went on
to join the advisory group for the new Food Issues Survey. Bringing my experience of government surveys
to the group, I provided ongoing advice and support to the SSRU team and contributed to the design and
development of the questionnaire. I also contributed to the process of procuring research contractors for
the survey, and participated in the Agency’s wider discussions about developing a social research
framework. Finally, I provided advice to SSRU on their research to evaluate the provision of calorie
information in catering outlets.
Michael Howard
Michael is a lecturer in environmental health and works from the Department of Geography at
King’s College, London
I have expertise in the areas of food safety, enforcement and the promotion of
compliance in food businesses, especially for small and medium sized enterprises
(SMEs). I am interested in the relationships between the Agency’s regulatory
activities and those of other regulators and enforcement agencies, such as the
Health and Safety Executive, and how these relationships impact on food
businesses. I have also been looking at the ways in which the Agency is able to
tap in to the resources of enforcement agencies to promote its wider messages. I
have published research on the way in which people perceive food safety risks as
compared to other risks in their lives, as well as the way in which this affects their
attitude to food safety and food hygiene practices. I have conducted research with chefs and other food
handlers looking at the reasons why they do not always follow food safety guidance, which is important for
the Agency to know about when developing food safety messages.
I led the SSRC working group on Listeria monocytogenes and the food storage habits of the over 60s at
home. I also, with Peter Jackson, presented the findings of the group to the ACMSF and to a meeting of
the SSRC itself.
I attended, with Richard Shepherd, the three-day workshop on campylobacter held jointly by the Agency,
the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSC) and Defra. The work conducted at this
meeting will feed directly into the joint research strategy on campylobacter.
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
Peter Jackson
Peter is Professor of Human Geography at the University of Sheffield
My research focuses on the social and cultural aspects of food consumption.
I was Director of the ‘Changing Families, Changing Food’ research programme
(2005–2008), funded by the Leverhulme Trust 11 and recently began a new project
on ‘Consumer anxieties about food’ (2009–2012), funded by the European
Research Council.
Previous projects include a study of transnational commodity culture (funded by
ESRC’s Transnational Communities programme, 1999–2002), an analysis of retail
competition and household consumption practices (ESRC, 2001–2004) and a study of food commodity
chains (funded by the AHRC-ESRC Cultures of Consumption programme, 2003–2007).
I am also involved in a number of knowledge exchange initiatives including the development of an
educational website, Food Stories, hosted by the British Library 12 and an exhibition entitled ‘Food, Glorious
Food’ held at Weston Park Museum and developed in conjunction with Museums Sheffield.
During the last 12 months I have been a member of the selection panel for the FSA-ESRC Dietary Decisions
research programme and participated in the SSRC's listeria working group, helping to prepare a report for
the ACMSF. In my role as deputy chair, I have chaired a meeting of the SSRC and attended meetings of
GACS as the SSRC representative.
Richard Shepherd
Richard is Professor of Psychology and Co-Director of the Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health
Research Centre at the University of Surrey
My research is mainly concerned with understanding the reasons for people’s
choice of foods. This has involved the development and application of social
psychological models of attitudes and beliefs to understanding food choice, risk
perception, risk communication and public engagement. The work on risk
perception, communication and engagement has included food applications such
as genetic medication, and other forms of risks.
I am a Chartered Health Psychologist and a Fellow of the British Psychological
Society. I am a Fellow for Food Standards Australia and New Zealand providing
advice on the social science aspects of food policy. Previously I was programme manager of the LINK
Programme on Eating, Food and Health jointly sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council,
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs.
11 sheffield.ac.uk/familiesandfood
12 bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/foodstories

The areas of dietary behaviour and risk perception and communication are key parts of the Agency’s
remit. It is important to understand both the determinants of behaviour and also how behaviour might be
influenced in order, for example, to improve dietary behaviour. While my background is in psychology, I
have worked on many multi- and inter-disciplinary projects which have spanned social and natural
sciences. Such multidisciplinary approaches are key to addressing many of the issues facing the Agency.
I have been an active member of the Committee over the last year attending a three day workshop on
campylobacter to inform a joint research strategy for the Agency, Defra and the BBSRC and also attending
the FSA workshop ‘Developing a Social Science Research Framework’ for the Agency.
Ann Williams
Ann has a background in community engagement including establishing and running Citizens
Advice Bureaux across the North West of England. She is currently working for Liverpool City
Council and Liverpool Primary Care Trust (PCT) to develop a joint commissioning advocacy
strategy ahead of the changes to the Mental Health Act and the introduction of new Mental
Health Advocates
I am passionate about improving the quality and equity of public services,
something which has been a major part of my life since the birth of my
premature son. His complex health needs in his early years led us through many
hospitals and I realised that not everyone received the same treatments. I joined
Citizens Advice Bureau as a manager and whilst running a CAB within an acute
hospital became aware of the realities of health inequalities.
I helped to establish the Independent Complaints Advocacy Services (ICAS) which
has helped many thousands of people through the NHS complaints procedure. I have been a long
standing member of Cheshire Local Research Ethics Committee and was part of the National Institute for
Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Public Health Programme Development Group on Behaviour Change.
My current role as Senior Improvement Officer for advocacy working to give the most vulnerable groups a
voice again heightens my awareness of inequalities in society.
I bring to the SSRC an understanding that successful interventions to encourage a healthier diet and good
food hygiene have to be based in the real world as well as based on good science, which often is devised
in dry academic settings.
Over the last 12 months of the SSRC I have supported the SSRU by commenting on the wave 1 Food Issues
Survey questionnaire and responded to the FSA strategy 2010–2015 consultation as an SSRC member. In
addition, I have been representing the Committee on a project advisory board for one of the Agency’s
nutrition research projects and attended the SSRU workshop ‘Developing a Social Science Research
Framework’ for the Agency.
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
Laura Willoughby
Laura is an elected councillor in the London Borough of Islington and was, until recently, Chief
Executive of an HIV and Nutrition charity
I have been an elected councillor for ten years on an inner London local authority and
have considerable experience of championing residents’ issues to improve local
services.
I have experience and interest in equalities, regeneration, leisure, voluntary sector and
health, dealing with issues around food safety, food poverty and health inequalities as
part of this role. Until recently, I was Chief Executive of a charity delivering nutrition
services to people with HIV and HIV related illnesses and am currently a political
advisor at London Councils.
I also sit on the Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities Board and the Nags Head Town Centre Management
Committee in Islington.
It has been interesting being a lay member on a committee of talented and respected scientists. I guess our job
is to make sure that the Committee's work makes sense to the world outside. In that capacity I was part of the
listeria working group - scoping what the group should look at and how to take findings forward in a way that is
useful to people and organisations that work with older people is something that I am proud of.
Wendy Wills
Wendy is a Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care at
the University of Hertfordshire. She is a sociologist and a registered public health nutritionist
Relationships are at the heart of sociological inquiry; ‘people’ and how they act,
behave and feel in relation to other people and ‘things’ is what drives sociology as a
discipline. Food is produced, bought and eaten by people whose relationship to it
and to others in the food chain, be they farmer, supermarket assistant, husband or
child is crucial to how the Agency needs to understand its business of promoting
the safety of food and encouraging and supporting ‘healthy’ food choices.
In my own research I tend to utilise mainly qualitative methods as these are useful
to find out what food and eating ‘mean’ to people, particularly families with children, which is often my
focus. Talking to people, either through interviews or focus groups, or using more novel methods, means
that everyday experiences of food and eating are brought to life. These experiences are a powerful way of
highlighting to stakeholders how to move forward in developing initiatives that work with peoples’
experiences, rather than sidelining them for generic policy messages.

I am co-convenor of the British Sociological Association’s specialist Food Study Group; 13 this acts as a
network for (over 200) individuals interested in the sociological study of food.
During my second year as a committee member I have supported the Agency by commenting and
advising on the draft questionnaire for the first Food Issues Survey. In addition, I was one of the social
science representatives on the steering panel for the GO-Science FSA review and I have actively
contributed to SSRC responses to the Agency’s consultations, including the FSA’s strategy 2010–2015.
13 food-study-group.org.uk
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
4. SSRC’s work in 2009/2010
The Committee’s medium term work programme has been structured to cover each of the four SSRC Terms
of Reference 14 . During its first year the SSRC established three sub-groups and one working group. These
continued their work through the Committee’s second year.
Additionally, Roger and Peter have each attended a GACS meeting representing the SSRC.
Advising and critically assessing how the Agency gathers and uses
social science evidence and advice
This has generated several key pieces of work this year:
Development of the Food Issues Survey (FIS)
One of the first activities the Committee undertook was a review of the Agency’s annual Consumer Attitude
Survey. Roger Jowell and Arthur Fleiss led this work on behalf of the SSRC and in November 2008 the SSRC
endorsed the recommendation that the Agency should establish a new time series so that the annual
attitudes research can pass the same tests of robustness as the rest of the Agency’s scientific research.
At the Committee’s suggestion, the Agency commissioned a scoping study on attitudes and behaviours
towards food. This study investigated a range of research from academic, governmental, NGOs and
commercial sources, and produced a data catalogue to inform question framing in the new survey.
The Agency has now set up FIS: “Food and You”. Following a competitive tender exercise via the Official
Journal of the European Union, a consortium of TNS-BMRB, the Policy Studies Institute and the University of
Westminster was commissioned to carry out the survey on behalf of the Agency.
An advisory group was set up that included Arthur Fleiss and Joy Dobbs from the SSRC who have both
been pivotal in the design and development of the survey.
As recommended by the SSRC, the new survey is based on a random probability sample drawn from the
Postcode Address File and collects information on views, attitudes and behaviours towards food issues.
The survey, designed to be repeated annually, consists of approximately 3,500 face-to-face interviews.
The interviews will last around 60 minutes covering a wide range of Agency interests and issues including
healthy eating, food safety, eating out and shopping. The devolved administrations in Scotland and
Northern Ireland elected to boost the samples within their countries to allow analysis within country.
The SSRU has secured funding for the second wave of FIS in 2011. Following a review of the first wave,
including lessons learnt, development work for wave 2 is scheduled to begin in August 2010 with fieldwork
beginning in April/May 2011.
14 See section 2 and annex 2

The Food Issues Survey – a view from the Committee by Arthur Fleiss
March 2010 marked the beginning of fieldwork for the Agency’s major new survey of public attitudes
and behaviours relating to healthy eating and food safety – an important moment for all those
involved in the gestation and birth of the survey.
Looking back to November 2008, when the SSRC endorsed proposals for a new survey, it is clear just
how far we have come. In February 2010 the Agency’s new Science and Evidence Strategy 15
highlighted the survey as a key source of evidence. This should ensure that a rich new set of data is
well used by the Agency over the coming years.
During the past year much work has gone into getting the survey underway – consultations within
the Agency and with other government departments to clarify requirements and expectations; a
scoping study; commissioning a contractor; further development work; and, devising a questionnaire
for piloting. The survey advisory group and the SSRU team have had many stimulating exchanges
and had to make some hard decisions to incorporate the Agency’s priority topics into a 60 minute
interview. One of the challenges has been deciding what questions the survey should, and should
not include. Food-related behaviours and preferences are often buried in people’s backgrounds,
cultures and personal history and some topics are more amenable to survey investigation than
others. Rigorous testing of people’s understanding of the meaning of questions is therefore an
ongoing part of the survey’s development.
As an advisory group member I’d like to express my thanks to the SSRU team for their effective and
professional stewardship of the survey thus far. I look forward to further key stages in the survey’s
passage to adulthood when findings become available later this year.
15 In particular, the survey will provide evidence for the sixth of the Agency’s ‘evidence themes’ relating to strategic and cross-cutting
evidence and analysis. For more detail on the evidence themes see food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/publication/sciencestrategy0210.pdf
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
Advising on collaborative work with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Joy Dobbs and Peter Jackson led a sub-group, on behalf of the SSRC, to help the Agency establish a
strategic partnership with the ESRC.
Collaborating with ESRC- a view from the Committee by Joy Dobbs
The call for applications, on research ‘Exploring and explaining UK dietary decisions in the 21st Century’,
closed at the end of March 2009 and Joy and Peter represented SSRC on the commissioning panel,
working closely with the other FSA members (SSRU staff and two other academic experts). This involved
reading and reviewing all the applications and taking the lead in grading a proportion of them, before
then meeting with the other FSA members to discuss and agree overall priorities and assessments. The
full panel met in June and decided to fund one application, which was from the Institute of Education
(IoE), researching ‘Food Practices and Employed Families with Younger Children’.
Such collaborations have their challenges, since Government Agencies and the ESRC have rather
different perspectives and approaches to commissioning and monitoring research. With discussion and
respect for each other’s perspectives, we were able to develop a shared method of working which
should provide a good base for subsequent calls and collaboration. The standard of the applications to
the first call was mixed. It was pleasing that the call attracted a number of applications from institutions
that have not traditionally bid for FSA work, since one of the aims of the call was to broaden the
research base. The final decision involved choosing between some very good applications and we are
confident that the successful study will meet our aim of using social science perspectives to understand
better dietary and health related decisions – in this case of employed families with younger children.
A paper outlining the project was discussed by all SSRC members at the October 2009 meeting and
the discussion fed back to the IoE researchers. Work commenced in October 2009 and will be
completed in autumn 2011, with a presentation updating the SSRC this spring.
The Agency has also agreed to contribute to ‘Understanding Society’ over the next three years.
Understanding Society is a major ESRC research study designed to provide valuable new evidence about
the people of the UK, their lives, experiences, behaviours and beliefs. The study will follow 100,000 people
in 40,000 households year by year and question them about a wide spectrum of areas relating to their
working and personal lives.

Listeria in the over 60s
In response to a request from ACMSF a working group was established in January 2009, to explore how the
social sciences could be used to help explain why those aged over 60 are more susceptible to listeriosis
and what could be done to reduce the number of cases.
Listeria in the over 60s – a view from the Committee by Peter Jackson
The SSRC was pleased to respond to a request from the ACMSF regarding the recent increase in listeriosis
among the over 60s. ACMSF were interested to know whether the increase might be linked to changes
in the dietary habits and kitchen practices of elderly households. A working group was established
comprising Michael Howard, Laura Willoughby and Mary Brennan, later joined by Peter Jackson and Anne
Murcott 16 , to review the available evidence and make recommendations for future research.
The working group found that there was relatively little in-depth research on the food-related
behaviours of this very diverse and rapidly growing population. No comprehensive baseline data exist
against which to judge the likely impact of recent changes. Most existing data rely on self-reported
behaviour rather than on the observation of actual practices. The working group reported in August
2009 with recommendations for a more thorough evidence review (including the possibility of
conducting secondary analysis of existing datasets) and various options for undertaking additional
primary research. The working group’s report is available online 17 .
Drawing on wider expertise as appropriate to provide
independent critique on social science based evidence
SSRC members have, over the last 12 months, been instrumental in the development of the Register of
Specialists for Social Science. The aim of the register is to help the Agency access relevant experts to
provide ad hoc social science research advice and to help appraise research proposals and peer review
project reports.
The Register was established at the end of March 2009 and we now have a database of social science
methodological and subject experts including evaluation; statistics; ethics; psychology; economics and
food technology.
16 Professor Anne Murcott is Professor of Sociology at Nottingham University and is an expert food social scientist on GACS
17 food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/committee/acm980ssrc.pdf
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
Advising how social science can best contribute to meeting the
Agency’s strategic aims
Implementing the strategy for social science research in the Agency
The key aim of the strategy 18 is to embed social science within the Agency so that it becomes recognised,
valued and taken into account in decision making in the same way as is research from the physical and
natural sciences.
The strategy identified five elements that need to be in place in order to embed social science within
the Agency:
1. Research planning and prioritisation
2. Professional standards
3. Use of research
4. Communications
5. Resources, processes and structures
The strategy was approved by the SSRC at its inaugural meeting in July 2008 and Wendy Wills and Steve
Cummins agreed to lead on behalf of the Committee in helping the SSRU to take the strategy forward by
developing an action and delivery plan.
Work began by holding a workshop in September 2008, which identified the key actions that the
Committee, the SSRU and others needed to do in order to implement this strategy. The results of this
exercise were presented at the November 2008 SSRC meeting 19 .
The social science strategy is now well under way with the expansion of the social science research
function in the Agency. During 2009 the SSRU has been increasingly involved in a wide range of activities
across the Agency including, for example, advising policy colleagues on the use of research, and strategic
planning processes such as contributing to the Agency’s Science and Evidence Strategy 2010–2015.
The Committee’s activities over the last year have focused on the implementation and delivery against the
Agency’s social science research strategic priorities as identified by the Committee.
18 SSRC/08/1/1 A Strategy for social science research in FSA
food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/committee/ssrcstrat.pdf
19 SSRC/08/2/04 Information note on the implementation plan for the social science
food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/SSRC0824.pdf

Looking forward to 2010-2011
During the 2010-2011 financial year the Committee’s work will include:
● A review of the delivery and implementation of the social science research strategy
● Supporting the implementation of the Agency’s Science and Evidence Strategy 2010–2015 for
example advising on cross-cutting and policy specific social science research projects
● Continuing to support the Agency/ESRC research collaboration
● Providing advice to the Agency’s programme of evaluation
● Getting involved in the work of Food Hygiene Delivery Programme and future meat controls
● Continuing to help the Agency build relationships with external social science experts
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Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
Glossary
ACMSF Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food
BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Defra Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
ESRC Economic and Social Research Council
EU European Union
FIS Food Issues Survey
FSA/the Agency Food Standards Agency
GACS General Advisory Committee on Science
GO Science Government Office for Science
IoE Institute of Education
NDNS National Diet and Nutrition Survey
NGO Non-Government Organisation
SAC Scientific Advisory Committee
SSRC Social Science Research Committee
SSRU Social Science Research Unit (Food Standards Agency)

Annex 1 – Social Science Research
Committee (SSRC) Code of Practice
Introduction
1. In line with central government guidance and Food Standards Agency policy, each independent
advisory committee that advises the Agency operates to a published Code of Practice that sets out
the key principles and procedures that govern the Committee’s work.
2. The Code of Practice for the SSRC is subject to periodic review by the Committee in light of
experience with its use and any new or updated guidance from central Government or from the
Agency.
Purpose and terms of reference for the SSRC
3. The role of the SSRC is to help the Agency achieve its strategic goal of strengthening its capacity for
social science research. It will provide assurance to the Agency’s Board about how the Agency
gathers and uses social science evidence and advice. The Committee’s Terms of Reference are to:
● Advise and critically assess how the Agency gathers and uses social science evidence and advice
● Draw on wider expertise as appropriate to provide independent critique on social science based
evidence
● Support the Agency develop its social science capacity by advising how social science can best
contribute to meeting the Agency’s strategic aims
● Keep the Agency in touch with relevant social science activity both in the UK and internationally
Public service values
4. All members must:
● Follow the Seven Principles of Public Life set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life
● Not misuse information gained in the course of their public service for personal gain or for
political purpose, nor seek to use the opportunity of public service to promote their private
interests or those of connected persons, firms, businesses or other organisations; and
● Not hold any paid or high profile unpaid posts in a political party, and not engage in specific
political activities on matters directly affecting the work of this body. When engaging in other
political activities, members should be conscious of their public role and exercise proper
discretion.
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The role of the SSRC Chair
5. The role of the SSRC Chair is to:
● Chair the Committee’s meetings, overseeing the operation and output of the Committee
● Act as the Committee’s spokesperson to the Board (see paragraph 7)
● Liaise with Agency staff, and provide ad hoc advice to the Agency, as necessary
● Decide, in discussion with the Secretariat, who should be invited to give evidence/provide
information to the Committee
● In discussion with the Secretariat, draw on wider social science expertise, setting up Working/Ad
hoc groups as appropriate in order to gather information and provide thorough and robust
advice to the Agency
● Ensure that every member of the Committee is heard and that no view is ignored or overlooked,
using where appropriate, a structured process which ensures that all views are captured and
explored
● Ensure that unorthodox and contrary views are given a fair hearing
● Ensure that any significant diversity of opinion among the members of the Committee over its
findings is accurately reflected in the report and in any other communications with the Agency
● Ensure that the Committee acts in the public interest
● Represent the Committee to the public, the media and other interested organisations in
consultation with the Agency via the Secretariat (unless other specific arrangements have been
made)
● Sign off the Committee’s Annual Report to the FSA Board
● Each year conduct a brief feedback on Members’ experience of the Committee
The role of the members and lay members
6. The role of the Members is to:
● Attend meetings (and working groups, as appropriate)
● Engage fully in collective consideration of the issues, taking account of the full range of relevant
factors, including any guidance issued by the Agency or the Board
● In dealing with issues to make the Committee aware of the full range of opinion within their
discipline

● Ensure that contrary views and the views and values of stakeholders are taken into account in
formulating advice
● Ensure that the Committee’s advice is comprehensible from the point of view of a lay person
and that the implications of any uncertainties concerning the basis of the Committee’s advice
are fully explained
● Ensure that the minutes of meetings are accurate and that any concerns are recorded
● Act in the public interest
● Liaise with the Secretariat and FSA staff as necessary
● Contribute to and approve the Annual Report
● Participate in the annual feedback process of the Committee
Communications with Agency Board, Chief Scientist and
Executive
7. Communications between the SSRC and the Agency Board will generally be through the
Committee’s Secretariat although the SSRC Chair has the right of access to Board members, via the
Agency Chair, at all times. Any member also has the right of access to the Board on any matter
which he or she believes raises important issues relating to his or her duties as a member. In such
cases the agreement of the SSRC Chair should normally be sought.
8. Similarly, communications between the SSRC and the Agency Executive will be generally be through
the Committee’s Secretariat, although the SSRC Chair has the right of access to the Director of
Communications at all times. Any member also has the right of access to the Agency’s Chief
Scientist on any matter which he or she believes raises important issues relating to his or her duties
as a member. In such cases the agreement of the SSRC Chair should normally be sought.
Role of the Secretariat
9. The role of the Secretariat is to:
● Support the Committee by assembling and analysing information, preparing papers and taking
minutes of the Committee’s meetings
● Advise the Committee on process and procedure
● Draw the Committee’s attention to any emerging issues of concern
● Identify all relevant and appropriate analytical information and ensure that it is made available to
the Committee
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● Ensure that the proceedings of the Committee are properly documented so that there is a clear
audit trail showing how the Committee reached its decisions
● Ensure that the Committee’s conclusions and advice are clearly reported to the Board
● Prepare and draft, under the Committee’s guidance, its Annual Report to the Board
Circulation of papers
10. The Secretariat aims, where possible, to provide papers for the Committee 10 working days prior to
the meeting at which they are to be discussed. Where papers are circulated for comment by
correspondence between meetings, the Secretariat will aim to allow members 10 working days to
comment, where possible.
Interaction with stakeholders and the media
11. The SSRC Chair will normally represent the Committee and its views to stakeholders and the media,
after consultation with the Secretariat. However, if members receive invitations to speak to outside
organisations or to meetings in their capacity as a member of the Committee, they should notify any
such requests to the SSRC Chair and to the Agency via the Secretariat who will provide advice and
briefing if required.
12. The SSRC may invite submissions from outside bodies or individuals on specific subjects. The
Secretariat will co-ordinate any such consultations or invitations to submit information, including
their publication and communication as necessary. In line with other committees the SSRC will be
encouraged to publish its preliminary conclusions for comment prior to their finalisation.
13. The SSRC Secretariat will deal with routine correspondence and enquiries from the public with regard
to the work of the Committee, consulting with the SSRC Chair as necessary.
Conflicts of interest
14. All members should declare any personal or business interest that may, or may be perceived (by a
reasonable member of the public) to, influence their judgement. This should include, as a minimum,
personal direct and indirect pecuniary interests. If a member is unsure whether an interest might be
regarded as influencing their advice they should seek advice from the SSRC Secretariat as to whether
it should be declared. The register of interests will be kept up to date and be open to the public.
15. Members should declare any personal or business interest before an item to which the interest relates
is discussed. They should not participate in the discussion or determination of matters in which they
have a direct or pecuniary interest. If their interest is covered in specific guidance issued by sponsor
Departments which requires them not to participate and/or to withdraw from the meeting, they
should act in accordance with that guidance. A guide to the different interests that are required to be
declared is included with the application form. Members with a conflict of interest in a matter under
discussion should normally withdraw from the meeting but, at the discretion of the SSRC Chair, may
remain but refrain from participating in the discussion and drawing of final conclusions.

Liability of Committee Members
16. Subject as provided in paragraph 18 of this document the Food Standards Agency hereby undertakes
with the Members (including the Chair) of the Social Science Research Committee (“the Members”)
to indemnify them against all liability in respect of any action or claim which may be brought, or
threatened to be brought, against them either individually or collectively by reason of or in
connection with the performance of their duties as Members, including all costs, charges and
expenses which the Members may properly and reasonably suffer or incur in disputing any such
action or claim.
17. The Members shall as soon as practicable notify the Food Standards Agency if any action or claim is
brought or threatened to be brought against them in respect of which indemnity may be sought
pursuant to paragraph 18, and if an action or claim is brought, the Food Standards Agency shall be
entitled to assume the legal representation for that action or claim. The Agency shall notify the
Members as soon as practicable if it intends to assume the legal representation and the Members
shall then provide to the Agency such information and assistance as it shall reasonably request,
subject to all out of pocket expenses properly and reasonably incurred by them being reasonably
reimbursed. The Food Standards Agency shall, to the extent reasonable and practicable, consult with
and keep the Members informed as and when reasonably requested by the Members in respect of
any action or claim. If the Food Standards Agency does not assume the legal representation of such
action or claim, the Members shall keep the Agency fully informed on its progress and any
consequent legal proceedings and consult with the Agency as and when required concerning the
action or claim.
18. The indemnity contained in paragraph 16 shall not extend to any losses, claims, damages, costs,
charges, expenses and any other liabilities:
(a) in respect of which the Members are indemnified by or through any defence organisation or
insurers; or
(b) which may result from bad faith (including dishonesty), wilful default or recklessness on the
part of the Members; or
(c) which may result from any of the following circumstances:
(i) any settlement made or compromise effected without the knowledge or consent of the
Agency on behalf of the Members of any action or claim brought, or threatened to be
brought, against the Members; or
(ii) any admission by the Members of any liability or responsibility in respect of any action or
claim brought, or threatened to be brought, against them; or
(iii) Members taking action that they were aware, or ought reasonably to have been aware,
might prejudice the successful defence of any action or claim, once the members had
become aware that such an action or claim had been brought or was like to be brought.
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Openness
19. The Committee will abide by the Agency’s Code of Practice on Openness. The Committee should
always meet in open forum. Certain stakeholders may be invited to attend where they have an
interest in issues under discussion. Places will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and the
numbers of observers should not be so great as to stifle debate or hinder effective working of the
Committee. Any observers will sit away from the main table. Observers will not normally be expected
to speak during meetings but may be invited to comment at the end of a meeting at the discretion
of the SSRC Chair. The Secretariat will circulate details of any observers attending meeting to
Members in advance. Members will review practice in the light of experience.
Dealing with confidential information
20. The Committee may, on occasion, need to discuss matters that are subject to restriction of
confidentiality and cannot be put in the public domain. In such cases the Committee may hold a
discussion in closed session, separate from an open meeting. It is expected that such cases will be
rare and only in clearly justified circumstances. Information subject to such restriction will be placed
in the public domain as soon as practicable should the restrictions cease to apply at a later date.
When the SSRC holds a closed session, the agenda, minutes and associated papers will explain this
procedure, the reasons for withholding any information, and where possible, an indication of when
the information withheld may be published.
Agendas
21. Published agendas should contain enough background information to allow a reader to understand
why the item is being discussed and what sorts of questions are being considered. Dates of
meetings and agendas should be published in advance in the FSA News and on the FSA website.
Minutes
22. Minutes should accurately reflect the proceedings and discussions that take place and, as with most
other comparable committees, will be recorded on a non-attributable basis except where the views
of one or more members need recording, for example when declaring an interest. Minutes of
meeting of the SSRC will be made available via the Agency’s website and on demand in paper form.
They will be written by the Secretariat as soon as possible after the meeting to which they refer and
circulated to the Committee for comment within 10 working days. The Secretariat will amend the
draft minutes in the light of members’ comments and ensure that the amended draft is placed on
the Agency’s website. Any further corrections will be made at the following meeting when the
minutes will be formally adopted. The final version of the minutes will then be placed on the
Agency’s website.

Working papers
23. To ensure openness and transparency the Committee should seek to keep the public and
stakeholders informed as it develops advice. In addition to timely publication of final papers, minutes
and agendas the Secretariat will publish discussion papers on the FSA website in advance of
meetings to allow interested parties to comment. For copyright reasons, published material annexed
to papers will not normally be supplied but the Secretariat will provide the relevant references. The
SSRC may need, on occasion, to treat some matters as confidential (e.g. commercial or financial).
Any confidential data will be annexed to the relevant paper. The published paper will not contain this
annex but will still refer to it.
Unpublished research
24. Where the Committee’s disclosure of information would involve bringing into the public domain
previously unpublished research, it should consider whether this could hinder the process of formal
consultation elsewhere and, if so, explore arrangements that avoid the problem (such as parallel
publication).
Annual report
25. As with other committees, the SSRC will publish an Annual Report on its work.
Procedures for arriving at conclusions
26. The Committee should attempt to reach a consensus on the advice it gives, recognising that this
might not always be possible.
Dissenting views
27. The Committee should not seek unanimity at the risk of failing to recognise different views on a
subject. Any significant diversity of opinion among the members of the Committee which cannot be
resolved should be accurately reflected in the minutes or report.
Terms and conditions of appointment
28. The SSRC is expected to hold 2 formal meetings a year. Meetings will normally run for around 4
hours and lunch will be provided.
29. The Committee may also need to provide advice to the Agency on social science issues that arise
between meetings.
30. SSRC Members will need to attend meetings and devote some time to reading and preparation.
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31. It is expected that the Committee Chair will need to spend around 8-12 days and Committee
members around 6-10 days per year on Committee business.
32. The Chair will be paid a daily fee of £255 and other members of the Committee will be paid a daily
fee of £205 for each meeting and training event they attend, including any preparatory or planning
meetings with the Secretariat.
Feedback on performance
33. The SSRC Chair and all members will be asked to provide an annual feedback to the Secretariat of
their experience on the Committee. This will help the Agency ensure that the Committee operates
effectively, and to identify any areas for improvement.

Annex 2 – Social Science Research
Committee – work programme for 2008
Provisional medium term work programme
The Social Science Research Committee (SSRC) has been set up to provide the Agency with access to external
expertise and challenge in how the Agency draws on and makes use of the social sciences. Specifically, the
SSRC has been established to support the Agency in developing its social science capacity by:
1. Advising how social science can best contribute to meeting the Agency’s strategic aims
2. Advising and critically assessing how the Agency gathers and uses social science evidence
and advice
3. Drawing on wider expertise as appropriate to provide independent critique on social
science based evidence
4. Keeping the Agency in touch with relevant social science activity both in the UK and
internationally
The Chair and Secretariat have developed the following provisional medium term work plan for discussion
at the first meeting of the Committee. The work programme has been structured under each of the four
Terms of Reference listed above. There are three specific areas where the Agency is looking to the
Committee for its expertise and advice. In addition there are some ad hoc activities where the Committee
can support the Agency on an on-going basis.
1. Advise how social science can best contribute to meeting the Agency’s strategic aims
Implementation of the Social Science Research Strategy
Background: The Agency needs to draw on a broader range of social sciences and social science research
methods to further our commitment to evidence based policy development. We have developed a draft
strategy for developing and embedding social science across the Agency and now need to implement the
strategy.
Aim: Subject to the SSRC endorsing the Agency’s Social Science Research Strategy, the Agency would
welcome the Committee’s support in developing an action plan to implement the strategy. Each of the
five strategic elements needs a comprehensive set of actions with a clear view on what the Agency needs
to deliver in the short, medium and longer term and by whom.
How and when: One way to do this would be for a couple of SSRC members to work closely with the
Agency’s Social Science Research Unit to prepare an action and delivery plan by the end of March 2009.
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2. Advise and critically assess how the Agency gathers and uses social science evidence and
advice
Advise on the future design and scope of the Agency’s portfolio
of attitudes research
Background: Currently, the Agency has three main vehicles for capturing public attitudes:
● Annual Consumer Attitudes Survey (CAS)
● Quarterly Tracking survey (Tracker)
● British Social Attitudes survey (BSA)
The Agency has commissioned an annual attitudes survey (CAS) and tracking survey since it was set up in
2000 20 . The content of these surveys have not changed significantly since they began. The Agency also
sponsored a module on the BSA 21 for the first time in 2008 – the theme was public attitudes to food
technology. The Agency plans to repeat this module in a few years time and is currently deciding on a
suitable theme for BSA 2009.
Aim: The Agency would value advice about an alternative approach to its annual attitudes survey, taking
account of the tracker and BSA module that we could commission during 2009 and which would serve as
a possible baseline prior to our next strategic plan for 2010–2015.
How and when: A way of doing this would be to set up a sub-group of the SSRC which is led by one or
two members. The sub-group would work closely with the Social Science Research Unit and other FSA
colleagues. We would like to receive SSRC’s recommendations by April 2009 so we have time to
commission and gather data during 2009.
Advise on the scope of Agency / ESRC research collaboration on
behaviour
Background: We have negotiated funding to work in collaboration with the ESRC on a programme of
research to provide a holistic understanding of food purchasing and consumption behaviours. The aim of
the research is to draw on a wide range of social science disciplines and methods to harness a broader
understanding about how and why people eat the food that they do. CAS 2006 data was segmented and
one idea might be to undertake a longitudinal and ethnographic approach to understand more about
each of the four segments 22 . Another idea (possibly in addition) might be to explore how the Agency
could make use of existing data sources such as BMRB’s Target Group Index (TGI). We are also keen to
incorporate people’s use of food labels into the study.
20 CAS 2007 can be found at food.gov.uk/science/socsci/surveys/foodsafety-nutrition-diet/eighthcas2007 and the Tracker at
food.gov.uk/science/socsci/surveys/publictrackingsurvey
21 www.britsocat.com
22 food.gov.uk/science/socsci/surveys/foodsafety-nutrition-diet/

Aim: We would like the SSRC to work with the Social Science Research Unit and the ESRC to scope the
content and design of this collaboration. The ESRC will issue a call for proposals and help manage the
research and dissemination.
How and when: We envisage a sub-group of the SSRC working with the Unit and the ESRC to discuss and
agree a suitable approach at the next meeting of the SSRC. We would like to be in a position to issue a call
for proposals by the end of 2008.
Input to the Agency’s scientific research programme reviews
Each of the Agency’s scientific research programmes is reviewed every five years by an expert panel. Our
portfolio of nutrition research is about to be reviewed and the SSRC will be one of several stakeholders who
will be invited to contribute to the review. Views are likely to be sought during October to December 2008.
At the end of September this year (29th and 30th) our GM and novel foods programme is being reviewed
and a member of the SSRC has been invited to attend the proceedings.
On-going methodological advice
From time to time the Agency would like to seek advice from the SSRC on research design issues for
pieces of social science research commissioned within and in addition to its research programmes.
3. Draw on wider expertise as appropriate to provide independent critique on social science
based evidence
This area might involve the SSRC reviewing Agency or external research and advising on possible peer
reviewers for Agency commissioned research.
4. Keep the Agency in touch with relevant social science activity both in the UK and
internationally
On an ongoing basis the Agency would like to ask the SSRC for advice on key external links and new pieces
of relevant social science research that we should be tapped into. Initially we would like the SSRC to
comment on our initial list of journals and organisations.
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Annex 3 – Social Science Research Committee
Working Group on Listeria on the over 60s
Scope of Work
Introduction
1. The Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food’s (ACMSF) ad hoc group on vulnerable
groups, has recently published a report on the ‘Increased incidence of listeriosis in the UK’ and have
asked the SSRC to advise on how the social sciences can help to explain the rise, specifically in the
over 60s.
2. A presentation was given at the November meeting of the SSRC to provide background to the issue
and to explain the gap in understanding around the consumption patterns, food storage and food
preparation behaviours of the over 60s which may help to explain the increase.
3. The SSRC discussed the points of the presentation and agreed that it could help in understanding
current behaviours that could lead to listeriosis rather than in being able to explain the increase in
listeriosis, due to the lack of historical data needed to explain how behaviours have changed.
4. A working group of SSRC members was formed and this paper, prepared by the Social Science
Research Unit (SSRU) and SSRC secretariat, sets out the scope of work for this group and outlines
next steps.
Members
5. The working group comprises Mike Howard (project lead), Laura Willoughby and Mary Brennan from
the SSRC. Contributions will also be sought from other SSRC members as well as external social
science experts. Members of the ACMSF and its secretariat will be kept closely involved with the work
and also invited to contribute as appropriate. The working group will be supported by Robyn
Ackerman of the SSRU and Carol Spence, SSRC secretariat.
Aims and objectives
6. The aim of the working group is to provide an interim advice paper to the ACMSF for its March 2009
meeting. The focus of the paper is to set out how the social sciences can help explain what is
happening now that could cause listeriosis in this age group and what might need to be done to
reduce the number of cases amongst the over 60s (i.e. to inform risk management options/controls
and to help the Agency frame and target its advice).
7. The objectives of this paper are to:
● advise on what existing evidence could be mined and what new research could be
commissioned to explore what food elderly households consume, how they store it and how
they prepare it 23 .
23 The ACMSF report suggested that in home studies would be of particular benefit, that examined food storage behaviour, refrigerator
temperatures, adherence to ‘use by’ dates and accompanying analysis of foods for listeria.

● focus on the domestic setting (rather than looking at care homes/institutions) but the Working
Group should consider including carers (who care for people at home/in their own homes), both
in terms of their awareness of older people’s behaviour and in their own behaviour which could
be presenting risks.
● consider, as a separate group, those aged over 60 who have weakened immune systems, due to
illness/medication, as the majority of cases have an underlying condition.
● include an international dimension, as cases are rising in countries outside of the UK (in particular
similar changes have been reported in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France and Lithuania).
35

Annex 4 – Social Science Research Committee
Register of Members’ interests
36
Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010
Member Personal interests Non-personal interests
Company/organisation Nature of interest Company/organisation Nature of interest
Professor Roger Various public sector Occasional small Centre for Comparative Director
Jowell (chair) bodies including Cabinet consultancies Social Surveys,
Office, HM Treasury, City University
Department of Transport
Institute of Public Trustee (unpaid) European Social Survey Director
Policy Research
Various professional Honorary fellowships UK Statistics Authority Deputy Chair
bodies and academies and elected
memberships– none
linked with industry
Ms Mary Brennan None None International Life Sciences Institute Chair
Europe Consumer Science Task
Force - Expert Group on 'Consumers'
risk perception of food choice'.
Dr Steven Cummins None None None None
Ms Joy Dobbs Office of National Direct employment National Council for Research consultant
Statistics Voluntary Organisations on secondment from
ONS
Professor Ben Fine None None None None
Dr Arthur Fleiss Trust holding a varied Trustee and None None
portfolio, including beneficiary
Unilever plc
ordinary shares
Dr Michael Howard King’s College Direct employment None None
University of Surrey and External examiner
University of Wales
Professor None None None None
Peter Jackson
Professor University of Surrey Direct employment British Psychological Society Fellow
Richard Shepherd University of Reading External examiner Food Standards Australia Fellow
New Zealand (FSANZ)

Member Personal interests Non-personal interests
Company/organisation Nature of interest Company/organisation Nature of interest
Ms Ann Williams Newbourne Consulting Company director; None None
Limited Christopher Williams
(husband) consultant in
packaging machinery for
food industry in
North America.
Ms Laura Islington Borough Council Elected member Nags Head Town Centre Partnership, Management
Willoughby Islington Borough Council, Committee Member
Upper Street, London N1 2UD.
Improvement and Paid adviser Big Lottery Fund London
Development Agency representative
(IDEA)
The Audit Commission Paid adviser
London Councils Employee
591/2 Southwark Street
London SE1 0AL
The Big Lottery Fund Paid adviser
Reaching Communities
Fund
Dr Wendy Wills University of Hertfordshire Direct employment None None
European Commission Expert evaluator for
FP7 research bids
British Sociological Co-convenor
Association food (no connection to industry)
study group.
Leeds Metropolitan External examiner –
University. term now completed.
Government Office for Steering panel member
Science: steering panel for science review
member for science of FSA.
review of FSA.
Nutrition Society Member
37

38
Social Science Research Committee – Annual Report 2010

© Crown Copyright 2010
Published by the Food Standards Agency
April 2010
FSA/1565/0410