The Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD) was established in 2008. WISERD’s mission is to strengthen social science capacity across Wales through cooperation, joint projects and associated links with centres across the UK and beyond.
The Institute is jointly funded from sources including the Welsh Government and the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to draw together and build upon the existing expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods and methodologies at Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Glamorgan and Swansea Universities. The research activity and programme of capacity building of WISERD is distributed across the partner HE institutions and also involves the Welsh Government, ONS and other public organisations.
WISERD is recognized by the Welsh Assembly Government as a One Wales National Research Centre.
The principal aims of WISERD are:
- To develop the quality and quantity of social science research in Wales, particularly through externally-funded research projects;
- To promote collaborative research activity across the participating universities and across disciplines and sectors;
- To develop the social science research infrastructure in Wales;
- To strengthen the impact of social science research on the development of policy in the public, private and third sectors through a focus on knowledge exchange and engagement.
WISERD Expertise
WISERD seeks to achieve these aims through two programmes: a research programme and a research infrastructure programme. In terms of its research, WISERD is able to demonstrate expertise in:
- qualitative, quantitative and mixed methodologies
- knowledge and analysis of datasets relating to Wales
- a track record of generating successful research grant bids
WISERD’s research programme is comprised of a diverse portfolio of activities, ranging from basic science to applied research project.
WISERD Infrastructure
WISERD’s research infrastructure programme is focused on the development of research capacity within the social sciences in Wales and beyond. This programme comprises the following key elements:
- Knowledge exchange and transfer
- Training & capacity building
- Data assembly and access
WISERD is coordinated from a hub based at Cardiff University. The Institute has researchers and senior linked academics based in each of the partner institutions, and seeks to engage with the wider academic community through its networks and membership schemes.
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