The Need for Social Sciences in Ireland
22 December 2016Expert Statement from Royal Irish Academy Committee for Social Sciences Committee
The Royal Irish Academy's Social Sciences Committee has published its first Expert Statement on the Social Sciences in Ireland. It is intended as the first of a series of statements in which specific social issues, such as changing demographics and migration, education, disadvantage and inequality will be addressed.
This Expert Statement concisely outlines why social science matters to social development and an understanding of the world in which we live. It discusses how social sciences provide the evidence base that feeds into the solving of social problems by stakeholders. The Expert Statement also explains what the social sciences are and what they are concerned with, and that they are part of an interdisplinarity and multi-disciplinarity perspective to be considered when dealing with contemporary societal and individual challenges .
The funding of the social sciences in Ireland and their standing internationally are outlined. It concludes with the challenges that Ireland faces while striving for a worthwhile society.