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Motherhood in Western Europe

Insights from Western European Mothers

The changing face of motherhood — Western Europe

The accompanying reports combine a review of existing literature with an analysis of original quantitative data derived from a poll of 9,582 mothers from 12 countries in Western Europe, making it one of the largest studies of this kind ever conducted

Child Obesity and Health

An analysis of the latest available data from the Health Survey for England (HSE)

Child Obesity and Health — download the full report in pdf format

In this ‘National Childhood Obesity Week’, the SIRC report, Children, obesity and heath: Recent trends, holds up a true mirror, accurately reflecting the trend towards slimmer, healthier children. more

The Future of Freemasonry

An examination of the role of Freemasonry in the 21st century

Freemasonry

This report is, as far as we know, an account of the first ever study that has been commissioned by Freemasons from a non-Masonic body. None of the SIRC members involved in the project are Freemasons, a fact that evoked surprise and welcome in equal measure from the Lodge members we met. more

The Changing Face of Motherhood

Insights from three generations of mothers

Motherhood

The report seeks to answer some specific questions about the changing face of motherhood and determine the extent to which modern ‘solutions’ to motherhood are more or less beneficial than the solutions of the past. more

Welcome

SIRC is an independent, not-for-profit organisation based in Oxford, UK. We conduct research on a wide range of social topics and combine robust qualitative and quantitative methods with innovative analysis and thinking. We also conduct continuous monitoring of social and cultural trends. You will find most of our recent reports and articles in the Publications and Articles sections.

SIRC undertakes commissioned projects and conducts on-going research for European and UK government bodies, major companies, trade associations, etc. Some of our clients are listed here.

The Centre has completed a European Commission FP6 project in collaboration with the Amsterdam School of Communication (ASCoR). We have developed the original SIRC Guidelines on Science and Health Communication (in association with the Royal Institution and Royal Society) to give them a truly European provenance after detailed consultation with key actors and stake holders across the EU. The new Guidelines for Scientists on Communicating with the Media can be found in the MESSENGER section of the website. Additional reports and materials from the project are also available here.

We also focus on issues and topics simply because we find them important and interesting — and because we can. What we produce is regularly covered in the popular media. You can see some examples here

In the box below you will find some random examples of various SIRC reports. For a fuller list click on the Publications or Articles buttons on the navigation bar.

The SIRC team combines wide experience in research and publishing with youthful flair and imagination. SIRC’s role is also to initiate debate and to challenge preconceived notions that have somehow managed to replace rational thinking. We hope that you enjoy your visit and welcome your feedback, or argument!