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Institute for Social Change

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.

MSc in Social Change: Apply before April 30th 2012 to be considered for an “outstanding applicant” studentship worth £1,000 off the course fees.

News

14th Feb: Prof Maarten van Ham, University of St Andrews/Delft University of Technology Neighbourhood effects

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The Institute for Social Change (ISC) is an interdisciplinary social-science research institute at the University of Manchester, which examines the causes and consequences of social change

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.
Professor 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.