National Centre for Social Research appoints four new Trustees
Press release
Report
Impact Report 2024-25
Reporting on the impact achieved from the work conducted by the National Centre for Social Research.
Read the report
Since 1969, through moments of clarity and moments of uncertainty, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) helps the UK to understand itself. We engage with and listen to the public, ensuring their voice and experience helps to shape the decisions and services that affect their lives. We show decision makers when and where society’s expectations are shifting — and why it matters.
Our team of social researchers, survey methodologists, scientists, analysts and evaluators work to ensure our findings are surfaced amongst the relevant stakeholders. We achieve this through the variety of outputs we deliver; from comprehensive research reports and policy briefing papers to blogs, events and videos. We engage with Westminster and the devolved nations, Select Committees, All-Party Parliamentary Groups, as well as responding to government consultations.
Over the last 12 months, we launched the Society Behind the Stats podcast, which explored themes and trends covered by our flagship study, British Social Attitudes (BSA). In the ever-evolving social media landscape, we have expanded our presence across Bluesky and Instagram creating more accessible engaging bite-size content.
As part of our charitable mission to educate, we delivered just under 40 training courses to over 400 social science professionals in the sector through NatCen Learning. We take seriously the opportunity to support the social research sector, build capacity and empower excellence in social research.
We believe that where society stands today shapes where it moves tomorrow. That the seeds of the future are already here — in people’s attitudes, behaviours, hopes, and values. That’s why our purpose is simple: the power of understanding. Listening to society without an agenda to reveal the issues that matter and solutions that work.
We do this through gathering and presenting evidence – not just to inform decisions, but to spark reflection, open debate, and help make the future as fair, clear and constructive as it can be.
Michael Davis
Chief Executive
