We are very proud to announce that our Director, Jane Lewis, has been made an Academician of the Social Sciences. This is an award made by the Academy of Social Sciences to eminent social scientists. Jane was nominated by the Social Research Association for her outstanding contribution to the development of applied qualitative research methods and their use in evaluation in particular, and for her work to promote the utilisation of research in policy-making and in practice.
Mark, Wardman, President of the Social Research Association, said:
'The Social Research Association nominated Jane because of her significant contribution to the promotion of quality in social research over a number of years. This is particularly true of her work in developing a wide and deep understanding of the theoretical and practical approaches to using qualitative research effectively to inform social policy. Her work has had great impact in central government and the local public sector. The SRA is delighted that such an important contribution to and influence on the practice of high quality social research has been recognised by the Academy.
Jane Lewis said:
'This is a real honour and I’m delighted to accept it. research in practice’s contribution to the social sciences is in developing innovative and theoretically-based approaches to evidence-informed practice, and it’s great to see the importance of the application of research to policy and practice reflected in this way. I was also lucky over many years at NatCen and then at NCB to lead quality research programmes which had a real focus on application and use.'
