The Policy Studies Institute is a British think-tank. It was formed in 1978 through the merger of the former Centre for the Study of Social Policy and Political and Economic Planning

Political and Economic Planning

Political and Economic Planning was a British policy think tank, formed in 1931 in response to Max Nicholson's article A National Plan for Britain published in February of that year in Gerald Barry's magazine The Week-End Review....

. Since 1998 it has been an independent subsidiary of the University of Westminster

University of Westminster

The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...

. The current director of PSI is Malcolm Rigg.

The Institute presently undertakes qualitative and quantitative research in two broad areas: work and social policy, and the environment. The Institute is also a partner in a number of initiatives with other bodies, including the Green Fiscal Commission

Green Fiscal Commission

The Green Fiscal Commission is a British body set up to examine the best way of implementing green taxes in the United Kingdom. GFC includes members from business, academia and the three main British political parties. GFC is chaired by Robert Napier, chairman of the Met Office and former chief...

. PSI launched two journals, Cultural Trends and Policy Studies, both of which are now published by Taylor & Francis

Taylor & Francis

Taylor & Francis Group is an international company originating in the United Kingdom which publishes books and academic journals. It is a division of Informa plc, a United Kingdom-based publisher and conference company.- Overview :...

. PSI takes a politically neutral stance on issues of public policy and has no connections with any political party, commercial interest or pressure group.

Leading researchers who have worked at the Institute include Mayer Hillman

Mayer Hillman

Mayer Hillman is a Senior Fellow Emeritus since 1992 at the Policy Studies Institute, University of Westminster.A qualified architect and town planner, he completed a doctoral thesis on transport, planning and environmental issues in 1970 at the University of Edinburgh.Hillman co-authored a 1990...

, Paul Ekins

Paul Ekins

Paul Ekins is a prominent British academic in the field of sustainable economics. He is a former member of the Green Party.-Political career:...

 and Tariq Modood

Tariq Modood

Tariq Modood is Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy at the University of Bristol . Modood is the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship and one of the leading authorities on ethnic minorities in Britain...

.