New Social Science Research Committee established

Thursday 17 April 2008

Ref: 2008/0720

The Food Standards Agency has today announced that Sir Roger Jowell will take up the position of Chair of its new, independent Social Science Research Committee (SSRC).

The SSRC has been set up by the Agency to strengthen its capacity for social science research, therefore adding to its evidence base. The Chair will be supported by 11 experts in social science, who have been appointed as members of the Committee.

The SSRC will advise the Agency how social science can best contribute to meeting the Agency’s strategic goals, and critically assess how it gathers and uses social science evidence. The Chair and members will also be key in keeping the Agency in touch with relevant social science activity both in the UK and internationally.

Roger Jowell is the founding Director for the Centre for Comparative Social Surveys at London City University, from where he also directs the European Social Survey. Before joining London City University, he was the founder-Director of the National Centre for Social Research, the UK’s largest social research institute.

Roger Jowell, Chair of the SSRC, said: 'Rigorous social scientific enquiry is key to understanding what drives behaviour change, so is very relevant to many of the challenges the FSA faces today.

'I’m very much looking forward to working with the new Committee members and putting social science firmly on the map at the Agency.'

Tim Smith, Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency, said: 'The Agency has a reputation for basing all its advice and policy-making on sound science. But if we are to realise the goal of significantly improving the eating habits of the nation then we must fully utilise the social sciences too.

'The SSRC will ensure we are doing this robustly and, most importantly, will provide an independent critique on how the Agency gathers and uses social science evidence.'

SSRC members will take up their roles with immediate effect and their appointments will run for an initial term of two to three years.