Recent
Report of an independent assessment
Two years ago, in the Children's Plan, the DCSF committed itself to commission an independent assessment of the impact of the commercial world on children's wellbeing. That assessment, led by Professor David Buckingham, is now complete. As part of the process SIRC was commissioned to undertake two major reviews: Children and Family Life: Socio-Demographic Changes and The Ecology of Family Life. more
Psychological impact & the lessons of recession
There can be very few people in Britain who are unaware that we have been living in times of recession…It is clear that people — even those unaffected directly — are worried, especially about their future financial security. But are there some positive lessons to be learnt? more
The role and citizen impact of Public Service Broadcasting
As a complement to the extensive work contributed by other players on the rapid advances in technology and consumer behaviour, the work is designed to review and present the available data on broader social trends which may impact on PSB in the future…more
Passion, emotion and the 'beautiful game'
The Football Passions report summarises extensive sociological research across 18 countries in Europe. The objectives of the study were to capture the emotions of being a football fan and to compare the feelings, expressions and behaviour of fans associated with support of their football teams…more.
SIRC findings echoed by US study
SIRC's findings on the adverse psychological side effects of health warnings have been echoed in a US study from Cornell's National Nutrition Information Center. The Cornell survey identifies up to 59% of Americans as 'flip-floppers', who constantly change their eating habits in response to conflicting health information about food – a classification similar to SIRC's 'riskfactorphobics'.
The US study also indicates that at least one in five Americans may be affected by what SIRC has called 'warning-fatigue', where they eventually give up and stop paying any attention to new information on nutrition. Like SIRC, the Cornell researchers recognise the dangers of both of these responses, and call for greater caution from those who dispense nutrition advice.
SIRC is currently developing – with the Royal Institution and a panel of leading scientists, doctors and media representatives – a Code of Practice on reporting of science and health issues in the media, which will help to improve communication on nutrition in Britain, and perhaps serve as a model for the development of similar guidelines in the US.
