National Centre for Social Research

Event: 25 Years of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey

Prof. Sir John Curtice presents findings from 25 years of ScotCen’s Scottish Social Attitudes Survey - exploring how Scotland’s values, identities and politics have evolved since 1999.

natcen.ac.uk/events/25-ye...

One week to go!

We’re marking 25 years of the Scottish Social Attitudes survey - 25 years of insights into how Scotland thinks, feels and changes.

🎤 Speakers: Sir John Curtice, @ailsahenderson.bsky.social, Lucy Dean and Paul Bradshaw

natcen.ac.uk/events/25-ye...

#ScottishSocialAttitudes #ScotCen

NatCen's Public Affairs Manager, Natasha Fox, attended Labour Party Conference this year, sharing insights from the British Social Attitudes survey covering the NHS, devolution, Al, tax and spend and the impact of social media.

“For 25 years, the Scottish Social Attitudes (SSA) survey has shown how Scotland thinks about politics, society and identity.” – Sir John Curtice

Join us on 9 October 2025 for the launch of the latest SSA findings.

🏛 Held in Edinburgh and Online

natcen.ac.uk/events/25-ye...

What makes a great research questionnaire? Find out by attending our one-day training course on 30 September on 'Questionnaire Design'. Our expert colleagues provide an excellent grounding in this topic, with hands-on experience of designing your own survey questions.

▶️ natcen.ac.uk/events/quest...

Already today at 3pm: A Better Start – National Evaluation Annual Report Webinar. Hear what’s been learned from 10 years of work with families in Blackpool, Bradford, Lambeth, Nottingham and Southend-on-Sea. Free to join online 👉

natcen.ac.uk/events/bette...

Tomorrow we’re hosting the 3rd Annual A Better Start national evaluation webinar. This is a unique opportunity to hear how a £215m investment is supporting families and young children across the UK, with insights for practitioners, policymakers, and parents alike.

natcen.ac.uk/events/bette...

New British Social Attitudes findings show traditional gender norms remain deeply rooted in Britain, but there are signs of change.

Find out more in the latest British Social Attitudes report 👉 natcen.ac.uk/publications...

#GenderIdentity

Just over one week to go until our popular training course on Depth Interviewing Skills. Held online on 24-25 September, participants receive a comprehensive understanding of conducting qualitative interviews natcen.ac.uk/events/depth...

Read what previous attendees have to say...

📉 Support for the monarchy has fallen to its lowest level since the British Social Attitudes survey began in 1983. Back then, 86% of people thought it was important for Britain to have a monarchy. In 2024, just over half (51%) agree.

✍️ Find out more in our blog: natcen.ac.uk/article/roya...

TRIGGER WARNING: THIS POST DISCUSSES SUICIDE

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. The Department for Transport asked us to research the causes, prevention, and impacts of rail suicides.

🔗 Read our blog: natcen.ac.uk/blog/underst...
🔗 Explore the full research: natcen.ac.uk/publications...

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 – 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘫𝘰𝘣𝘴, 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴, 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴.”

- Lucy Dean, Senior Researcher, Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen)

Join us as ScotCen unveils 25 years of the Scottish Social Attitudes

📢 Don’t miss NatCen’s Better Start Annual Report Webinar!

Hear from leading researchers incl. Mary McKaskill, Thea Schei, Natasha Phillips, Janet Boddy, Beth Young & Makenzie Uglow on what works to improve outcomes for children + families.

🔗 natcen.ac.uk/events/bette...

25 years of Scottish Social Attitudes | National Centre for Social Research This year, the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) will publish the findings from 25 years of the Scottish Social Attitudes survey.

EVENT | 25 Years of Scottish Social Attitudes
Since 1999, ScotCen’s survey has tracked how Scotland’s views have evolved. Sir John Curtice will present key findings & expert analysis from 25 years of data.
👉 Join us: natcen.ac.uk/events/25-ye...

Through NatCen Learning, we deliver a regular programme of social research training courses. These sessions combine theory and practice, covering a variety of topics and skills. Email NatCenLearning@natcen.ac.uk to book your place and for any questions.

natcen.ac.uk/training-cou...

Less than four weeks until our Depth Interviewing Skills training course. This course provides an understanding of the skills involved in conducting qualitative interviews. Book your place to learn from our experts.

🗓️ 24-25 September, online
▶️ natcen.ac.uk/events/depth...

🚉 Today marks 60 years of the National Travel Survey

In this video, Research Assistant Gabriel Fung explains how the survey has evolved over time.

📝 Read our blog: natcen.ac.uk/journey-thro...

#transport #travel #nationaltravelsurvey

What works in giving children the best possible start in life?

Join the A Better Start Annual Report Webinar on 17 September to explore evidence-based approaches from five UK partnerships.

natcen.ac.uk/events/bette...

Transforming early childhood support isn’t easy.

Join our 17 Sept webinar to learn how we’re helping families & shaping services across the UK.

Register here: natcen.ac.uk/events/bette...

#EarlyIntervention #ChildDevelopment #ABetterStart

Read the full report: natcen.ac.uk/publications...

#LocalGov #Essex #PublicServices #PublicEngagement #Deliberation #CivicParticipation #PublicAttitudes #EssexLGR

➡️ Methodology:

1️⃣ A representative survey of 1,477 Essex residents.
2️⃣ A deliberative workshop with 30 residents across Essex + three focus groups with underrepresented groups: young people, disabled people/those with long term health conditions, and people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

➡️ The research also highlighted that:

⚖️ there is a preference for gradual transition over rapid change.
🔎 Residents value transparency and regular engagement within their communities.

➡️ Residents’ top priority was improved public services.

👉 85% support LGR if it leads to better services.
👉 Less than half (44%) were willing to pay more for improved services, valuing efficiency over higher taxes.

➡️ Awareness of LGR is mixed – 51% were ‘not very’ or ‘not at all’ aware of the upcoming changes, 49% know ‘a fair amount’ or more.

📣 NEW RESEARCH: NatCen spoke to Essex residents about Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – which will see 15 councils replaced by fewer single-tier authorities.

We found that: 🧵

Calling early years professionals!

See the impact of an ABS programme transforming support for babies & young children.

17/09 | ABS National Evaluation Webinar

Sign up now: natcen.ac.uk/events/bette...

#EarlyYears #PublicHealth #ChildDevelopment #ABetterStart

📊At the BSA 2025 launch, Alex Scholes noted that while elections once boosted trust in politics, that effect has faded. Despite a 2024 Labour majority, only 12% now trust the government.

The latest #BSA report shows record-low trust and record-high support for electoral reform.

A Better Start – National Evaluation Annual Report Webinar | National Centre for Social Research This webinar is the third in an annual series of events, presenting the findings from the national evaluation of A Better Start.

How can we give every child the best start in life?

Join the ABS National Evaluation Webinar on 17 Sept to hear how partnerships in 5 UK areas are transforming early years support.

Register: natcen.ac.uk/events/bette...

#EarlyYears #ChildDevelopment #ABetterStart

A Better Start National Evaluation webinar will take place on 17 Sept 2025, 15:00–16:30
Gain the latest insights on early years initiatives and their impact.

Register: zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Watch 2024 webinar: 🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TtL...

#EarlyYears #Research #Evaluation

We’re pleased to announce the appointment of four new Trustees to NatCen:

🟣 James Brooks, Kantar

🟣Professor Alison Park, ESRC

🟣Professor Ian Rivers, University of Strathclyde

🟣Nina Skero, Cebr

Joining the Board in November 2025. Read more: natcen.ac.uk/news/nationa...