Social sciences body will be outward-looking

The Commission on the Social Sciences, set up to examine how the social sciences could have a greater impact, has published terms of reference and is looking for about ten potential commissioners.

Education secretary David Blunkett denounced social science research as "inward-looking" and "piecemeal" earlier this year.

The commission, chaired by David Rhind of City University, will seek to define the nature, focus, status, health and contribution to society of the social sciences, assess these characteristics against international comparators and identify shortcomings.