Exaggerated Claims?

More a critique than celebration... 50 years of ambiguity, missed opportunities and muddling through. Walker captures the enduring tensions that have characterised ESRC - and UK social science more broadly. A ‘must read’ for all social scientists, especially those who want to influence the next 50 years.

-- Jonathan Grant

David Walker offers a characteristically sharp-minded - and sharp-worded - verdict on the first half century of the UK′s research council for the social sciences, once the SSRC now the Economic and Social Research Council. If he privileges policy research over other forms, and focuses on relationships with Whitehall (and the ′public′) over those with universities (and social scientists themselves), that does not diminish the power of his critique. If the vigour of his analysis and ability to stimulate controversy may tend in the eyes of some to undermine his own thesis that the social sciences have been marginalised, others will see these same characteristics as proof of the social sciences’ enduring creativity – and challenge.

-- Peter Scott
David Walker’s analysis is incisive and hard hitting.  Anyone who believes in the power of social science to inform better policy making should take his criticisms seriously. -- Sue Duncan

David Walker has written an unofficial summary of ESRC′s achievements and struggles.  He brings to the task long experience of the organisation and of the key players, a great familiarity with the literature and a sceptical nature.  The result is stimulating, instructive, contentious and sometimes even infuriating.

-- David Rhind
This book looks at the role of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and its relationship with academics, non-university researchers, policy-makers and government... This erudite, eminently quotable and thoroughly iconoclastic book tells the story of opportunities lost; it is not an account of unequivocal failure. It is also about much more than the ESRC, as Walker has issued a clarion call to all those who believe in interdisciplinary working. -- Paul Webb
This book is a rather unique beast, both in style and scope. The author, a long time Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) committee member, has taken it upon himself to offer a personal critique of the role and function of the ESRC. I found it an interesting and thought-provoking read... I would definitely recommend this book to those interested in the policy and politics of social science research. -- Kirby Sw