Guidance

The Government Social Research Code

The code for members of the Government Social Research Profession

Documents

Details

Government Social Research (GSR) is the professional membership organisation for social research in government. The eligibility criteria and process for joining GSR are set out in the Membership and Eligibility Guidance.

GSR puts people- and society-centred research, advice, and design at the heart of government decision-making. GSR does this through impactful and influential input, engagement and collaboration.

GSR aims to proactively contribute and promote the relevance and use of social and behavioural science in policy, legislative, delivery and spending decisions.

The GSR Code is an addendum to the Civil Service Code. The purpose of the GSR Code is to set out the GSR’s additional professional standards of behaviour.

Published 7 August 2018
Last updated 26 October 2023 + show all updates
  1. Footnote added for GSR members in Scotland must follow the Scottish Government Social Research Publication Protocol, or their specific agency protocol where applicable.

  2. Updated Code, old copied removed and new version uploaded as HTML

  3. First published.