Understanding Society’s annual Insights publication is out, looking this year at political identity, electoral behaviour and climate change.
In previous years, Insights has showcased research using Understanding Society which is relevant to government policy. This year, in anticipation of a general election, the report examines:
- The youth vote – after the disputed ‘youthquake’ of 2017, what do we know about this period in our lives, during which many views are shaped? What influences our political thinking, and what lasting effects does it have?
- Changing lives, changing communities – in an apparent era of ‘identity politics’, what can research tell us about our sense of who we are, the communities we belong to, and life events, and how these influence our vote?
- Climate change – a significant issue for governments and policy, and likely to shape future economic policy. How do we view it, how do we respond to policy to tackle it, and can protests change our minds?
Key findings
The questions the report aims to answer include:
- Does childhood deprivation make people less likely to vote?
- Does university make you liberal?
- Does owning a home make you more conservative?
- Do local pub closures make us embrace populist politics?
- Do extreme weather events make people believe more in climate change?
Stuart Fox, Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Exeter, says in the report’s foreword, “The research has much to offer for our understanding of voters and the issues that will play a role in shaping the next election result. Understanding Society has a great deal to tell us about the causal drivers behind political participation and how and why people will be voting when the time comes.”
Insights events
The publication is being launched with two events – one in central London on Wednesday, and another online at the end of the month, focusing on climate change. The London event is now fully booked, but you can still attend the online event on net zero. Book your place here: Transition to net zero: a shared public journey? Wednesday 28 February, 9am-12.30
Family and householdsPolitics and social attitudesTransport and environmentYoung people
