presentation
FORS-Recherche Sociale was created in 1965, as a non-profit organisation in order to carry out research on themes concerning society's changes and social difficulties. FORS works in different fields of social sciences and on subjects related to public policies led at different levels : local, regional, national or European. The main themes are housing, transport, and city planning, youth, social and cultural policies, local and regional development, employment and training...
FORS works mainly for public bodies (ministries, public organisations, local communities), and occupies an intermediate position between academic research and operational studies. According to the demand, FORS can therefore integrate long term research programs (at a national or European level), or carry out studies for regional or local authorities. FORS also conducts evaluation and assessment studies, and has consulting activities. FORS uses different methodologies and research methods : diagnostic, observation, interviews, quantitative studies, assessment studies, consulting, training seminars, organisation of conferences...
FORS is engaged in several research programs with other European teams and participates in national or international conferences. For specific studies, FORS can associate with other public or private institutions when particular competencies are required.
FORS organises an annual seminar which brings together public or private research institutions and national or local bodies, in order to exchange on different issues of social policies, and more specifically on themes which have been studies by the researchers.
Since 1965, FORS publishes a quarterly review called "Recherche Sociale" (151 issues). This review, organised around thematic issues, publishes the work of FORS but also other articles written by different academic or private researchers. The proceedings of the conferences organised by FORS are also published.