Centre for Research in Social Policy
The Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) is based within the Department of Social Sciences, Loughborough University.
What we do
CRSP's objectives are to:
- conduct research in the field of social policy;
- improve the quality and flow of information on which policy decisions are made;
- promote contacts between policy makers, practitioners and the research community.
CRSP places great emphasis on understanding the needs of our research customers and working closely with them. Our hallmark is accessible, succinct and timely reporting of findings, and we have a strong commitment to wide dissemination to the policy making and practitioner communities, as well as to those interested in, and affected by, the research that we carry out. CRSP's funders include several government departments, local authorities, the Economic and Social Research Council, the European Union and charitable trusts such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Research themes
CRSP’s research focuses on:
There are many intellectual, methodological and policy links which cross-cut the research programmes, and the Centre benefits from the synergy generated by individual members of staff working on projects across a wide range of social policy issues.
Within each theme the intention is to blend strategic research to increase understanding of the nature and origins of social problems with commissioned research to evaluate social and economic policies implemented by public, private and not for profit organisations.
Research methods
Cross-country comparative research is also a feature of the Centre's research programme. Staff utilise quantitative and qualitative research methods integrating often the two approaches.
Qualitative methods include: face-to-face interviewing; focus groups; participant and non-participant observation as well as a range of visual and participatory techniques.
Many of our projects use quantitative methods to investigate complex datasets and staff design surveys and other data collection methods.
Staff
The Centre currently comprises 20 researchers and a support team consisting of a Finance and Resources Manager, an Office and Knowledge Transfer Manager, a Finance Assistant, two Project Administrators, who also fulfil other roles, an Administrative Assistant and a part-time IT technician. The Director is Alan France. CRSP is self-funding and has a multi-million pound annual turnover.
A matrix style of project management is adopted, and researchers participate in a number of project teams. This enables a greater range of expertise to be focused on individual projects and, by facilitating an exchange of expertise within CRSP, contributes to the professional development of CRSP staff.
The Centre works to the code of ethical practice of the Social Research Association.
Queen's Anniversary Prize
CRSP is one of Britain’s largest and most influential university based social policy research centres. This was externally recognised by the award of the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize to Loughborough University in 2005 for outstanding contribution to social policy research.
The citation states:
'The University's contribution to social policy through high-quality research, with a record of relevance, practical orientation and innovation, is an outstanding example of how excellence in research can be applied with wide impact and benefit. It has influenced policy makers and legislators in the UK resulting in better targeted policy, in particular as it affects neglected and disadvantaged groups.'
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