The term 'interactive social science' refers to a collaborative pattern of researcher-user relationships. Interactive research has been characterised as a distinctive mode of knowledge production and contrasted to contract research. This article questions this stark distinction and considers evidence that, given appropriate conditions, many of the characteristics of interactive social science may be fostered within a contract research relationship. Drawing upon experience of conducting research for a British regulatory agency, the paper outlines conditions that will tend to facilitate or inhibit an 'interactive' approach to contract research.