To mark the study’s 50th anniversary, we published 50 different stories over 50 weeks here on our website, and on our BCS70 Facebook page. These stories celebrate your contribution to science and society. If you missed them at the time, follow the links below to catch up.
Trailer
Your introduction to 50 stories in 50 weeks... and what you can expect in the months ahead!
Podcast series: 50 Years of Life in Britain
Over the course of six weeks, ‘50 Years of Life in Britain’ explores the contribution you and your fellow study members have made to improving British science and society.
50 years of discovery
To wrap up 50 stories in 50 weeks, here is an animated timeline featuring some of BCS70’s contributions to science and society over the past five decades.
1970s: the early years
Click here to find out more about the origins of BCS70 and its first decade, with articles showcasing the impact of BCS70’s research findings and highlighting fascinating features of the survey design, as well as personal stories from study members.
1980s: coming of age
It was the decade of big hair, fluorescent socks, electropop, BMX bikes and the ZX Spectrum. We checked in with you twice in the 1980s, when you were 10 and 16. In the following stories, published over seven weeks, we explore the surveys you took part in in the eighties, and look at how the information you shared has been used in research.
1990s: moving forward
Grunge entered the mainstream, the dotcom industry took off, and Labour swept to victory with a commitment to “education, education, education”.
These next stories explore BCS70 in the 1990s – the data, the discoveries and the impact.
2000s: strong roots
We caught up with you three times in this first decade of the new millennium. The information you shared has been used to explore a wide range of issues, from women’s pay to how closely our fortunes are tied to those of our parents.
2010s: the middle years
As you entered your 40s, Britain stood on the precipice of a long period of austerity. We’ve already made many important discoveries from the surveys in your 40s, and in the future, BCS70 will help us understand the impact of Austerity Britain on people’s lives.
2020s: COVID-19 and the future
It’s the decade that started with a bang: an unprecedented pandemic that took over the world, and changed your lives. We invited you to complete three COVID-19 surveys already, and are now making plans for the next major BSC70 sweep to find out about your lives in your early 50s.
