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Essex research celebrated in book for schools
Two University of Essex research projects have featured in a book
celebrating 100 major discoveries, developments and inventions made by
academics at UK universities.
Eureka UK, published by Universities UK this week, features some of
the most inspiring and dramatic breakthroughs in academic research over
the last 50 years. The book will be distributed to secondary schools
across the country at the beginning of the next school year. Featured in
Eureka UK are two projects conducted by social scientists at Essex.
The Department of Government’s contribution to political science is
highlighted in an entry about voting trends and election swings. Eureka
UK marks the University’s involvement in the UK’s British Election
Study which has surveyed a representative cross-section of the electorate
at every general election (and referendum) since 1964. Since being founded
in 1963 it has only ever been conducted by researchers at Essex or the
University of Oxford. The current study is being led by Professors Paul
Whiteley and David Sanders of Essex.
Also mentioned is the University’s contribution to research on poverty
through the work of former Essex sociologist, Professor Peter Townsend. In
the late 1970s and early 1980s Professor Townsend revealed the full
reality of social inequalities among different communities across the
country. He also showed that the deprived not only have poorer housing and
diets than the better off, but also face more limited lives at work and
within the family.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Business Development) Professor Rob
Massara, said: ‘To be included in
Eureka UK is a real honour and testament to the University of Essex’s
reputation as one of the strongest UK universities for research. Our
commitment to high-quality research was one of the founding principles of
the University and will continue to guide us throughout our future.’
Diana Warwick, Chief Executive of Universities UK, which represents
university vice-chancellors, said: ‘Universities UK has worked with
universities across the country to produce a lasting testament to the
brilliant thinkers whose contributions have changed lives around the
world.’
The University of Essex was ranked tenth in the UK’s last Research
Assessment Exercise (RAE), conducted in 2001. The Departments of
Government and Sociology are two of a select number of university
departments across the UK to hold a 6-star rating for research, awarded
for achieving 5-star status in two consecutive RAEs.
To purchase a copy of the book, visit the Universities UK website:
http://bookshop.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/.
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