Ensuring the sustainability of the European Social Survey
Work has got underway to ensure the long term sustainability of the European Social Survey (ESS). Since its inception in 2001, the ESS has dedicated itself to bringing to the fore the changes that are occurring in Europe's social, political and cultural fabric. Now the ESS Infrastructure Preparatory Phase project will put in place the legal and managerial framework required to guarantee the sustainability of the ESS in the long term and ensure it becomes a European Research Infrastructure (ERI). 'The transformation of the ESS from an essentially episodic project to a long-term infrastructure will help ensure the continuity and stability of its measurements,' explained Professor Sir Roger Jowell, who heads up the project's coordinating team. 'This will enable our work to help inform academic and policy debate about European social change in the coming decades.' The ESS has been mapping long-term attitudinal and behavioural changes in Europe's social, political and moral climate. The data collated by the group has revealed intriguing contrasts and similarities between over 30 European countries. By revealing this information the ESS is encouraging understanding between the countries of Europe. It allows governments, policy analysts, scholars and members of the public to interpret how people in different countries and at different times see themselves and the world around them. Every two years, a new survey round is initiated. Each questionnaire covers a range of topics that highlight the key issues facing Europe. To ensure each questionnaire is taken into context, key media reports and events in each country are noted by the ESS National Coordinator. This qualitative input helps ensure that current and future analysts are aware of the national context in which the questions were answered. The datasets so far have attracted over 19,000 users. The ESS Infrastructure Preparatory Phase is co-financed by the European Commission under the 'Research infrastructures' section of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), nine national research funding bodies and the European Science Foundation. This funding allows the ESS to run a series of seminars, provide long-term access to its data and protocols and to conduct a major programme of methodological research. The survey has attracted 32 countries across Europe, including EU member states and non EU member states such as Switzerland, Israel and Turkey. There is no restriction on who can access the information gathered, as a result, scholars, along with journalists and the general public can access the data through their web portal and see for themselves what attitudes are in either their own country or in their neighbouring country.