Queen's Anniversary Prize for Social Science at Bath
A Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education – the country’s most prestigious national recognition for a UK academic or vocational institution has been awarded to the University of Bath for the work of its Department of Social and Policy Sciences.
The University has been recognised for its influential research into child poverty and support for vulnerable people. The biennial award scheme is part of the UK’s national honours system and is distinctive in recognising the institution rather than an individual or team. This award has extra significance as it forms part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Glynis Breakwell said:
“This is wonderful news for the University, and for all our staff and students. Over three decades, the University’s Department of Social and Policy Sciences has been engaged in original and applied research in the field of family wellbeing, promoting the interests of some of the most vulnerable in society, in particular lone mothers, children and the extreme poor.
The Department has made a substantial and sustained contribution, by this innovative research, to the development and delivery of social policy in the UK and in other countries. Its work is recognised as exceptional and distinctive by policy makers and charities both in the UK and globally.
This most prestigious award provides official recognition to all those involved in the research, and to the University as a whole, and is something we can all take great pride in.
The Department of Social and Policy Sciences’ research included path-breaking studies of poverty and social exclusion in Europe, lone mothers and employment, child poverty from the children’s own perspective, and wellbeing in developing countries.
Impact of the research includes informing UK legislation on tackling child poverty, the design of the tax credits system, advising the Welsh government on policies promoting child welfare, stimulating innovations in micro-finance, and helping to develop strategies for tackling extreme poverty in Bangladesh.
The University is one of just 21 institutions to be awarded this prize.
