Thursday 7th April 2011, 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Auditorium, British Academy, London

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and the British Academy (BA) held an event to debate the challenges and opportunities facing the arts, humanities and social sciences.

The AHRC, ESRC and the BA represent half of the active researchers and academic disciplines in the UK. Many research challenges cross over between the arts and humanities on the one hand and the social sciences on the other. Some of today’s most important societal challenges can be addressed and identified by working together, using the most innovative approaches which arise at the interface between established disciplines. 

This event provided a unique opportunity since the science and research budget allocations to hear at firsthand the priorities of the three national bodies responsible for supporting research across the arts, humanities and social sciences. The three Chief Executives, Professor Rick Rylance (AHRC), Professor Paul Boyle (ESRC), and Dr Robin Jackson (BA) discussed their delivery plans and their overall priorities over the next four years.

The event was introduced by the Chair of the AHRC, Sir Alan Wilson, and the panel was independently chaired by journalist and commentator David Walker, Contributing Editor to Guardian Public.

The presentations (copies available below) were followed by a debate session and a chance to ask questions.

 Professor Paul Boyle, ESRC, Presentation (pdf 178kb)

 Dr Robin Jackson, British Academy, Presentation (pdf 291kb)

 Professor Rick Rylance, AHRC, Presentation (pdf 106kb)