What are social scientists for, and why might you need one?

At Cabot, we of course value and promote interdisciplinarity as an academic good in its own right. We work from the position that academic research is richer and more impactful when we can all learn from each other. More instrumentally, though, funding councils are increasingly stressing the need for research to be genuinely, demonstrably interdisciplinary (incorporating social sciences aspects). 

With this in mind, if you are from a physical/natural sciences or engineering background, you might have questions as to where the ‘science’ in social science might come in - what social scientists actually do; where you can find them in the wild; what they can add to your research, and how you might attract one to your team. 

This round table will be a space in which to hear from social scientists working in fields where, historically, they might have been rarities. We will explore how anthropology, ethnography, qualitative data collection, and other social data sources can offer up pathways to innovative methodologies and new ways of thinking. The event will start with a round-table discussion, followed by Q&A and then refreshments.

We will also share details of funding available through the Cabot Institute to support interdisciplinary research and events.

Adrian Flint (a social scientist)

Please note that photographs may be taken at this event