Social Research Division

Welsh Government social researchers are based in the Social Research Division which is headed by Dr Steven Marshall, the Chief Social Research Officer.  The team is largely based in Cardiff with some researchers in other locations including Merthyr Tydfil and Llandudno. All social researchers work closely with officials in departments ensuring they have a good grasp of the analytical needs of policy colleagues and are involved at an early stage of policy development.

The Social Research Division sits within the Strategic Planning Finance and Performance Department along with the Statistics Directorate, Library, Operational Research, Geographic Information and the Economic Advice Division. Together these form Knowledge and Analytical Services, to deliver an integrated cross-analytical approach to supporting Ministers and policy officials with a range of data, evidence and analysis.

Knowledge and Analytical Services work closely with Information Management – Expert Services (comprising records management, information assurance and information rights) and the KIM Strategy and Professional Development Unit in Information Management Division (IMD) in People, Places and Corporate Services (PPCS). Together all of these areas come under the banner of ‘Knowledge Services’.

The Social Research Division is divided into the following branches:

• Corporate Research
• National Surveys
• Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills Research
• Public Services and Local Government Delivery Research
• Public Health and Health Professionals Research
• Visit Wales Research
  

The division is responsible for setting and maintaining high standards throughout the research process, from the planning and commissioning of social research to its publication, dissemination and application in policy development and evaluation.

For more information, contact us via the Research Mailbox.