UoM School of Social Sciences

The Centre for Research on Socio-Cultural Change (CRESC) is a pioneering research initiative based at The University of Manchester and The Open University, focusing on the dynamic interplay between social, cultural, and economic transformation. Established to advance understanding of socio-cultural changes, CRESC undertakes interdisciplinary research that incorporates perspectives from sociology, history, anthropology, and media studies. Since its inception, the center has employed both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore various themes including Infrastructures of Social Change, Reframing the Nation, and Urban Experiments.

CRESC engages with key contemporary debates, utilizing state-of-the-art research techniques to produce empirically grounded insights that challenge prevailing narratives about social change. Its work emphasizes the importance of methodological innovation in assessing the narratives of inequality, cultural participation, and the impact of technology. Collaborating with notable organizations such as the BBC, KPMG, and the British Film Institute, CRESC aims to influence academic discourse and inform policy, making significant contributions to our understanding of societal dynamics.