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“This book demonstrates the key role of the social sciences in understanding the challenges we face as a country and as a society.”
—Dame Julia Black, President of the British Academy, UK
“It is often said the world will in future be shaped by technology and the natural sciences. But technology is only a tool; it is how we as humans use it that will shape societies. That underscores the importance of the social sciences in shaping our future.”
—Andy Haldane, Chief Executive of the RSA, UK
“The world’s crises can seem overwhelming. Why the Social Sciences Matter delivers clear, insightful and compelling answers to today's most pressing questions.”
—Robert Pollin, author of Climate Crisis and the Global Green New Deal
“This book brilliantly highlights the importance of the social sciences in analysing societal and economic developments systematically, helping shape effective policy responses.”
—Danny Dorling, author of Inequality and the 1%
From climate change and inequality to migration and global conflict, this book explores the defining challenges of our time. Revised and featuring nine new chapters, it brings together top scholars to demonstrate how the social sciences help us make sense of complex events and global trends. With fresh insights into climate justice, populism, productivity, sustainable development, and social wellbeing, it reveals how these issues are deeply interconnected.
Supported by the Academy for Social Sciences, the book shows how disciplines such as economics, education, political science, psychology, and sociology are essential for understanding developments that may seem purely technological or natural. It champions interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure science, technology, and policy serve the public good. Whether you're a curious reader, policymaker, or academic, this book makes a compelling case for why the social sciences matter now more than ever—and how understanding human behaviour and society can help shape a better future.
With contributions by: Howard Newby, Jonathan Michie, Cary L. Cooper, Jayati Ghosh, Joshua Lincoln, Oz Hassan, Robin Cohen, Iyiola Solanke, Bart van Ark, Mary O’Mahony, Dirk Pilat, James Campbell Quick, Robert J. Gatchel, Camilla Toulmin, Dave Cowan, Sally Wheeler, Mike Hough, Andreas J. Stylianides, Gabriel J. Stylianides, Marya Besharov, Catherine Hasted and Will Hutton.
Jonathan Michie OBE FAcSS is Professor of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Oxford, UK.
Sir Cary L. Cooper CBE FAcSS is Professor of Organizational Psychology at the University of Manchester, UK.
List of contents
Foreword to 1st Edition.- Preface to 2nd Edition.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Sustainable Development: Linking Poverty, Inequality, and Climate.- 3. Plastic Politics: A Rights-Based Treaty for a Cleaner Planet.- 4. Beyond the Arab Spring: Lessons for Global Stability and Inclusive Governance.- 5. Migration: Between Global Realities and Political Theatre.- 6. Decolonising the European Commission: Diversity, Knowledge and Democracy.- 7. Financial Stability and Sustainable Growth: Towards a Fairer, Greener Economic Order.- 8. Productivity Reimagined: Growth, Inclusion, and Sustainability in a Changing World.- 9. Wellbeing by Design: Social Science for Healthier Lives.- 10. Food Security, Power, and Justice: The Social Science of Feeding the Future.- 11. Equal Before the Law? A Socio-Legal Inquiry into Power, Algorithms, and Inequality.- 12. Crime, Policing and Compliance with the Law.- 13. Education as a Distinct Social Science: Challenging Common Sense in Teaching and Policy.- 14. How the Social Sciences Work Together to Tackle Complex Social Challenges.- 15. Forging a 'We' Society: Reimagining Capitalism for the Common Good.
About the author
Jonathan Michie OBE FAcSS is a leading voice in innovation and lifelong learning. A professor at the University of Oxford, UK, he serves as President of Kellogg College and Pro-Vice-Chancellor. Recognized with an OBE for his contributions to education, Jonathan is also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. His work spans global economics, co-operative business models, and the future of capitalism, with books like The Oxford Handbook of Mutual, Co-operative, and Co-owned Business and The Political Economy of Covid-19.
Sir Cary L. Cooper CBE FAcSS is one of the world’s most influential experts on workplace wellbeing. As Professor of Organizational Psychology at the University of Manchester, UK, he has shaped how we understand stress, mental health, and productivity at work. Knighted for his services to social science, Cary has authored over 250 books and is a go-to media commentator on work-life issues. His recent titles include Wellbeing at Work and Remote Workplace Culture.
Summary
This thoroughly revised and expanded edition offers a powerful exploration of the major challenges shaping our world today, from economic instability and climate change to inequality, migration, and global conflict.
Featuring contributions from leading scholars, the book shows how the social sciences help us make sense of complex events and emerging global trends. It brings fresh insights into urgent topics like climate justice, populism, productivity, sustainable development, and social wellbeing—highlighting how these issues are deeply interconnected.
Supported by the Academy for Social Sciences, the book demonstrates how disciplines such as economics, education, political science, psychology, and sociology are essential for understanding developments that may seem purely technological or natural. It champions interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure that progress in science, technology, and policy truly benefits society.
Whether you're a curious reader, policymaker, or academic, this volume offers a compelling case for why the social sciences matter now, more than ever. It’s a timely and thought-provoking guide to the threats and opportunities we face—and how a deeper understanding of human behaviour and society can help shape a better future.
