About Us

The Social Research Unit is an independent charity that works to improve the health and development of children, primarily in Europe and North America. This is not a vision statement. The Unit seeks clear evidence of the impact of its work on child outcomes.

This goal is achieved by three means. High quality research seeks the potential causes of impairment in children’s lives and the value of children’s services.

Development work applies high quality evidence to policies and practices in communities, local and central government.

Dissemination communicates learning about preventing and responding more effectively to risks to healthy child development. The work takes place internationally, primarily in Europe and North America, with emerging interests in the global South.

A multi-disciplinary team of 21 people led by trained researchers and mostly based in Dartington, England are responsible for the work. They are supported by a series of collaborations with academics, policy makers and practitioners with shared interests. The Unit also relies heavily on Centre for Social Policy at Dartington provides a context for 50 retired experts in research, policy or practice with children.

The Social Research Unit provides a doctoral programme for new researchers.

A Master’s programme in Applied Prevention Science will begin in the Spring of 2010.

Offices based in five acres of land in Dartington in the South-West of England are the home base for most of the staff. Facilities are offered at Dartington and in San Sebastian Spain for visiting scholars.

The Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible for the work of the Social Research Unit. An independent scientific review of the work takes place every four years.

The work is supported by central and local government, scientific funders, independent foundations and international philanthropy. An endowment fund has been established to promote innovation and budding experts.