Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science

Tuesday 1 March 2011
The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AH

The Rt Hon David Willetts MP used the newly redeveloped Wolfson Auditorium at the British Academy to voice his continued support of the arts, humanities and social sciences.

The Minister said: "'Quite simply, the humanities and social sciences are essential to a civilised society... They are deep sources of human satisfaction, helping us to navigate our way through the world – both as individuals and as a society."

"The university, as an institution ... works because of its range. Arts, humanities and social sciences are a crucial part of the life of such institutions."

Speaking to an invited audience, Mr Willetts also used the event to announce Government funding of £33.5m to a special project utilising social science research. The 2012 Birth Cohort Study 'will investigate how pre-natal influences, as well as the interplay of genetic and environmental factors affect human development' in a bid to "transform our ability to compare the lives and life changes of different generations".

The Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences in the Modern University

The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. ​

From artificial intelligence to climate change, from building prosperity to improving well-being – today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, cultures and societies.​

We invest in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas, ​engage the public with fresh thinking and debates, and bring together scholars, government, business and civil society to influence policy for ​the benefit of everyone. ​