Understanding Society produces an Annual Report, which gives an overview of a selection of the achievements of the Study.
The Annual Report is based on the key benefits of Understanding Society, identified by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) at the very start of the Study in 2009. These benefits include increasing the number of users of the Study, supporting the development of social science in the UK, and developing new forms of survey methodology.
2024
This Annual Report focuses on the redefined key benefits of Understanding Society for the UK research infrastructure sector and for social science research more generally. The report shares research findings and impact generated during 2024, alongside key metrics for the Study.
2023
Our 2023 Annual Report shares the new datasets and data products released this year, alongside the latest work on survey methods and the development of new biomarker data collection. The report also includes notable research and policy impact from 2023. After publication of the 2023 Annual Report we noticed an error in reporting. Please refer to the 2024 Annual Report for the correct data use figures for this year.
2022
In this year of the Study we report on stable response rates, our new calendar year dataset, how we’re improving user support, and significant policy and research use of the datasets.
2021
The first Annual Report was produced for 2021. This year saw an increase in the number of data downloads and the number of researchers using the datasets. More data users received training and support from the Study and there was important policy use for the Study too.
ESRC Evaluation of Understanding Society
Understanding Society is the largest household panel study of its kind and one of the UK’s leading data collections. As one of the largest investments by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Understanding Society is regularly monitored and evaluated by our funders to ensure that the Study is meeting its agreed targets. In 2022 the ESRC commissioned an independent evaluation of Understanding Society from CFE Research.
Read the 2022 Evaluation of Understanding Society
2020 Benefits Report
In 2020 Understanding Society published a Benefits Report, marking 10 years of the Study. This report outlined progress against our defined benefits, as set out at the inception of the Study in 2009. The Benefits Report presents evidence on the achievements of Understanding Society up to the end of 2020.