ABSTRACT

Social sciences are an important pole for social and economic development in modern societies and towards this end, the role of Social Science Research (SSR) in en-riching societies is beyond doubt. To be able to play an enabling and meaningful role in public policy making, it is imperative that institutions involved in SSR are well governed. This calls for the creation of a dynamic and vibrant eco-system that is responsive to the needs of the time. The autonomy of research institutions and the existence of democratic culture that guarantees freedom of scientific thinking and investigation is critical to the creation of a research friendly eco-system. It is only in such an environment that social scientists can operate in socially responsible ways in their endeavour to play an emancipatory and instrumental role in public policy making at every level — sub-national, national, regional and global. This calls for a continuous and sustained investment in research activities.

Key words:Social science,Research culture, Capacity building, social science policy.