For immediate release: 3 December 2007

Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Ipsos-Mori shortlisted for major award

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Ipsos-Mori have been shortlisted for the 2007 MRS Public Policy/Social Research Effectiveness Award for research which explores public attitudes to UK poverty.

The research, Make poverty a story: understanding and shaping attitudes to 21st century UK poverty, indicates that UK poverty needs to be portrayed in new ways to reflect changed realities and avoid ‘compassion fatigue’. The findings will be used to inform communications initiatives which aim to increase public support for removing poverty in the UK.

The judges of the award said: "This research challenges and redefines the agenda around modern-day poverty. It demonstrates a really effective blend of traditional and less-traditional techniques which together combine into an effective communications platform for influencing and changing thinking."

The winner will be announced at an awards dinner on Monday 10 December at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

Notes to Editors:

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is one of the largest social policy research and development charities in the UK. It supports a research and development programme that seeks to understand the causes of social difficulties and explore ways of overcoming them.

Issued by Charlotte Morris, JRF Senior Media Relations Manager: 01904 615 919 / 020 7278 9665 / charlotte.morris@jrf.org.uk