Bloomsbury The Public Value of the Social Sciences: An Interpretive Essay

Review This is a genuinely useful tool for researchers setting out on their first impact journey -- Jacqueline Aldridge, University of Kent, UK ― European Political Science Published On: 2014-10-31Anyone interested in defending the role of the social sciences should read this book. It is the most sophisticated analysis of their role in contemporary Britain. ― Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor, University of Exeter, UKChallenging, important, timely, and critical, The Public Value of the Social Sciences is a must read for anyone concerned with the future of humanity ― Michael Burawoy, University of California, Berkeley, USAAn excellent book that I found both important and engaging. ― John Scott, Plymouth University, UKJohn Brewer asks the right questions: What is the public value of social science and when does it have the most public value. His approach is neither defensive nor celebratory, nor is this yet another complaint about underfunding. Brewer is appropriately critical and also clear that social science can achieve its full potential only if it changes. His perspective is thoughtful, historically informed, and attentive to the specificities of Britain. Not all will agree, but all should think about the questions. ― Craig Calhoun, Director, London School of Economics, UK Product Description John Brewer explores the essential nature of the social sciences and the ways in which notions of 'impact' and 'value' could be reframed to generate a more productive debate around their contribution to the good of society. The argument is presented in the form of an interpretive essay, thought-provoking, forward-looking, and challenging to intellectual orthodoxy. It is interspersed with boxed vignettes illustrating different interpretations of 'value' within the social sciences. The book's premise is that two threats to social science currently loom large. The first is the global university crisis, epitomized, particularly in the UK, by the audit culture in higher education. Brewer argues that this should be seen as an opportunity to empower the field by reframing it as a new form of 'public social science' with a commitment to promote the public good through teaching and research. The second perceived threat is the 'impact agenda'. Though 'impact' may be relatively easy to demonstrate the author argues it is a flawed concept in any bid to measure value. The debate needs to be moved on from the concept of 'public impact' to a more productive one of 'public value'. This book is an essential and thought-provoking contribution to a crucial contemporary debate and should be read by all researchers and teachers in the social sciences who are concerned by the future of higher education in their disciplines. About the Author John D. Brewer is Sixth-Century Professor of Sociology at Aberdeen University. He has held visiting appointments at Yale University, St John's College, Oxford, Corpus Christi College Cambridge and the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University. He was, until 2012, President of the British Sociological Association and a member of the Governing Council of the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Science.