How Understanding Society is managed, reviewed and safeguarded for the future.
Understanding Society is a flagship longitudinal household panel study of the UK population and receives significant public funding as a data collection of major importance for social science and wider research.
The Study is led by a team of Co-Investigators, based at the University of Essex and other higher education institutions, with scientific guidance from subject expert Topic Champions. Understanding Society is governed and overseen by a Management Board, a Strategic Oversight Board and by a government department Co-Funders Group.
Understanding Society Management Board
This Board acts as a formal assurance and reporting mechanism between Understanding Society and our funders, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The Board’s remit is to ensure that the Study is developed, managed, and maintained in a manner that maximises its benefit as a long-term scientific resource of national and international importance.
The Management Board monitors the progress made by Understanding Society against its scope, time, cost and quality objectives, deliverables, and milestones. This progress is reported publicly in the Understanding Society Annual Report. The Board also seeks assurance that fieldwork partners are successfully delivering against key performance indicators and targets.
The Board ensures that procedures are put in place to protect participants rights and interests, and that all relevant legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements are complied with.
They engage in long-term financial and strategic planning, to ensure the future of Understanding Society is safeguarded and enhance the coordination between the Study and other ESRC/UKRI initiatives .
The Management Board also monitors how Understanding Society data are used, how the Study disseminates the results of research, and how researchers are trained to use these data.
Strategic Oversight Board
The Strategic Oversight Board represents a range of stakeholders who engage with Understanding Society. They advise on the strategic direction and operational delivery of the Study, including how well the Study is managed, developed, and enriched. They review the progress and risks for the Study.
The Strategic Oversight Board also review how well the relationship with participants is managed and that participants’ rights and interests are respected.
They advise on access arrangements for Understanding Society data, to ensure the Study is managed and maximised for public benefit, and monitor the progress made towards the fulfilment of the Study’s key aims and objectives.
See the current membership of the Strategic Oversight Board.
Co-Funders Group
Understanding Society is funded by the ESRC and a consortium of government departments, including the Scottish and Welsh Governments. Co-Funders Group members provide feedback on questionnaire content relevant to their department and advise the Study on developments to government statistics that may affect Understanding Society.
Co-funding departments receive some support on data use and analysis from Understanding Society, where these data are being used for government purposes.