Skip to content

Exploring social and cultural infrastructure's role in addressing policy challenges

Download
Front cover of the "Exploring social and cultural infrastructure’s role in addressing policy challenges" report
Year
2026

Overview

This paper explores the role of social and cultural infrastructure in addressing two policy challenges:

  • tackling disadvantage
  • reducing crime and improving safety

Evidence shows that accessible and trusted spaces, alongside strong local networks and partnerships, play a significant role in fostering belonging, preventing harm, and enabling recovery. However, social and cultural infrastructure’s contribution is often hampered by short-term funding, uneven access, and limited recognition of its value.

Many organisations face barriers to:

  • sustaining services
  • coordinating across sectors
  • measuring social outcomes effectively

Despite these barriers, social and cultural infrastructure plays an important role in supporting effective, place-based and preventative approaches to complex issues, though action to address these barriers could greatly enhance its impact.

The paper draws on two workshops and wider work commissioned as part of the social and cultural infrastructure programme.

Social and Cultural Infrastructure

Sign up to our email newsletters

Join our mailing list to explore the ideas and impact of the British Academy. Get updates on research, funding, policy, international collaborations, and events that bring the humanities and social sciences to life.