Social and Human Sciences

Everyone deserves the right to live in dignity, free from discrimination, and to contribute to and benefit from societies built on equality and inclusion. Social and Human Sciences must transcend political and cultural boundaries, fostering understanding and cooperation for the greater good.

As the UN’s lead agency for Social and Human sciences, UNESCO advances inclusive societies and human dignity worldwide. UNESCO drives transformative initiatives like the Ethics of Science and Technology / Bioethics, Sport and Anti-Doping, Human Rights, the global Fight against Racism and Discrimination, and Intercultural Dialogue and Peace.

The UK is a vital partner in UNESCO’s mission in Social and Human Sciences, contributing through our Expert Network, and innovative programmes that drive social progress, ethical governance, and collaboration for a more equitable future.

Framework Setting

UNESCO establishes an international normative framework for Social and Human Sciences through Conventions, Recommendations, Commissions, Committees, and other agreements. The Conventions and agreements help develop national policies for social and human sciences and set-up international frameworks for collaboration between researchers.
Convention Year UK Ratified (Year)
International Convention against Doping in Sport - Promotes scientific research to ensure fair play and combat the misuse of science in sports.
2005 2006

Recommendation	Year
Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers - Protects researchers’ rights and promotes equitable access to science	2017
Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial IntelligenceSets global standards to ensure AI is ethical, transparent, and inclusive	2021
UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science- Promotes open access to scientific knowledge for collaboration and societal benefit	2021

Declaration	Year
Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights - Safeguards human dignity and rights in the field of genetics and genomics	1997
Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge and the Science Agenda: Framework for Action - Highlights the role of science in sustainable development, ethical considerations, and the equitable sharing of scientific benefits	1999
Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights - Ensures respect for human dignity and ethical use of life sciences	2005
Global Declaration on Ethical Principles in Relation to Climate Change - Recognises the ethical responsibilities of using science to address climate change and protect future generations	2017

Policy Advice

We inform and advise on international and domestic human and social scientific matters to UNESCO and UK (and devolved) government, ensuring that the UK is seen as a world-leading, and trusted, authority in global social and human sciences policy.
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Department for Culture, Media & Sport
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Division of Science Policy and Basic Science
Bioethics and Ethics of Science and Technology Section
Inclusion, Rights & Dialogue Section
Research, Policy and Foresight Section
Sport Section

Expert Network

The UK National Commission for UNESCO ensures the UK’s leading specialists, intellectuals and academics are contributing to and shaping UNESCO’s social and human scientific mandate. We also advise the UK and devolved governments on policy relating to UNESCO’s social and human sciences activities.
Every accredited expert within our network is tasked with a specific committee or programme within UNESCO’s framework.
Dr Dan O’Connor is the UKNC Non-Executive Director who has responsibility of the Social and Human Sciences portfolio.
UNESCO Chair on Analytics and Data Science at the University of Essex, led by Professor Maria Fasli
UNESCO Chair on Artificial Intelligence at UCL Engineering, led by Professor John Shawe-Taylor
UNESCO Chair on Responsible Foresight for Sustainable Development at the University of Lincoln, led by Professor Ted Fuller
UNESCO Chair on Sport, Physical Activity and Education for Development at Loughborough University, led by Professor Richard Giulianotti
UNITWIN Network in Global Pharmacy Education Development at UCL School of Pharmacy, led by Professor Ian Bates

Related Resources

Constitutions & Conventions

International Convention against Doping in Sport

Constitutions & Conventions

UNESCO Recommendation on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence - Key Facts

Constitutions & Conventions

Statutes of the International Bioethics Committee of UNESCO

Constitutions & Conventions

UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science

Related Projects

View all projects

L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science UK & Ireland Rising Talent Programme

Women scientists are leading ground-breaking research across the world, but despite their remarkable discoveries women still only represent one third of researchers globally…

Local to Global

Local to Global is a flagship programme by the UK National Commission for UNESCO, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, that strengthens and connects UNESCO Designated Sites across the UK.

Convention	Year	UK Ratified (Year)
International Convention against Doping in Sport - Promotes scientific research to ensure fair play and combat the misuse of science in sports.	2005	2006