The Institute for Social Change (ISC)
Understanding the causes and consequences of social change
Most countries are currently experiencing unprecedented social changes, changes viewed by some as threatening the fabric of society, by others as opportunities for social growth and development. The ISC is dedicated to furthering our understanding of the causes and consequences of social change, and how policy can be used to maximise the benefits of change while reducing the costs.
News
24th November - Michael Lewis-Beck: Election Forecasting
1st December - Stephen Fisher: Accountability and representation: the voters' perspective
25th November - Yung-Han Chang: Education & Mobility in Mainland China & Taiwan
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The Age of Obama - The Changing Place of Minorities in British and American Societies
In this forthcoming book, Professor Robert Putnam says deepening tolerance makes a British Obama 'possible'.
Social Change in Manchester
Manchester has a long history of social change. The industrial revolution saw Manchester become one of the world's first industrial cities. In the beginning this brought the 'satanic mills', rapid population growth and great poverty to many, but ultimately forced innovation in public health, social justice and governance. Manchester is now a modern metropolis and one of the most diverse and rapidly changing cities in the UK, facing the renewed challenge of change in the 21st century.
About Robert Putnam
Robert Putnam is a Visiting Professor at the ISC, Director of "Social Change: a Harvard-Manchester initiative" and Director of the Manchester Graduate Summer Programme in Social Change. A hugely influential scholar, he is Professor of Public Policy at Harvard and winner of the 2006 Johan Skytte prize for political science.
Social Change: a Harvard - Manchester initiative (SCHMi)
Harvard and Manchester have joined forces in a major research programme aimed at studying changes in social cohesion and social capital in the US and UK.