The Standing Committee for the Social Sciences (SCSS) is chaired by Professor Sir Roderick Floud, Provost of Gresham College, London, UK.
The Committee is composed of its members, leading scientists nominated by the ESF Member Organisations (research councils or academies) working in social sciences, and observers from other social science institutions. Along with national experts, several observers from key social science institutions are also participating in two plenary meetings per year helping to shape the SCSS' role in the European Research Area.
The task of the committee is to advance Social Sciences on a European level by supporting innovative research ideas and approaches from the scientific community. Scientific agenda setting is therefore a crucial element of Standing Committee work and a variety of strategic activities are undertaken in order to explore and initiate new projects.
SCSS contribution to to EC Green Paper towards ‘A Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation funding
The ESF Standing Committee for the Social Sciences (SCSS) took part in the European Commission's consultation on the Green Paper in 2011, and made a series of recommendations.
Read the SCSS written response
More information about the consultation, responses, analysis and events on the EC Consultation homepage
Publication of SCSS Science Position Paper
VITAL QUESTIONS: The Contribution of European Social Science
Vital Questions describes the current state and future prospects of the social sciences in Europe. Written, edited and reviewed by leading social scientists, it contributes to the public understanding of scientific research – much of it supported by the European Science Foundation and its Member Organisations – and of the contribution that social science is making and can make in future to the solution of challenges of vital importance to the people and societies of Europe. [download]
Statutory Review of ESF Standing Committees 2003-2008
In the framework of the review of all ESF Standing Committees which is carried out every five years in accordance with the ESF Statutes, SCSS submitted its self-evaluation report covering the period 2003-2008 by the deadline of June 2009. [download]
The review of all five Standing Committees was conducted by an independent Review Panel which examined and evaluated the activities of the Committees and discussed possible future developments with the Standing Committee Chairs. The Review Panel report was approved by the ESF Governing Council at its meeting in May 2010. [download]
ESF provides the scientific, administrative and technical secretariat for COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).