Social science research is an essential part of all the cross-council themes (RCUK website). Novel, multidisciplinary approaches are needed to solve many, if not all, of the big research challenges over the next ten to 20 years. To achieve this, RCUK co-ordinates the delivery of multidisciplinary research in several priority areas.

The ESRC participates in the following programmes, providing social science expertise (all links are to the RCUK website):

• Global Uncertainties: realising greater security for all (individuals, communities and organisations) in a changing world (ESRC lead)

• Living with Environmental Change: understanding how people respond to environmental change and developing strong economic responses, including new business models, smart regulation and sustainable global poverty alleviation (NERC lead)

• Lifelong Health and Wellbeing: realising economic, social and health gains of healthy ageing while reducing dependency, costs and inequities later in life (MRC lead)

• Digital Economy: understanding how technology affects lives, changes the way society interacts, offers new government services and revolutionises business (EPSRC lead)

• Energy: understanding connectivity of energy systems, including supply technologies and energy demand (EPSRC lead)

• Global Food Security: Funding social science research to create a sustainable, affordable supply of good-quality food for the world’s growing population, from less land and fewer inputs (BBSRC lead)

We lead on the RCUK Global Uncertainties programme. The programme examines issues such as crime, terrorism, ideologies, arms proliferation and cybersecurity – research areas where the social, physical and natural sciences can work together on solutions across traditional disciplines.