The School is a stimulating, ambitious and energetic place to work and study. In the 2008 RAE, 90% of our research was rated as being of international quality, and we are building on this success to achieve our mission of research that makes a difference in the world.
To facilitate our research we have a range of research groups including an Institute, university-wide research networks, professional centres and seminar series. Our interdisciplinary scope facilitates pioneering research agendas and flourishing partnerships within the School, across the University, and with a growing body of international collaborators. We undertake theoretically informed applied research into contemporary social issues and social change, government and organisational policies, and professional and clinical practices. In short, our research makes a difference.
In the last six years, our staff have published over 1000 books, reports, journal articles, and book chapters, and have given talks across the globe. To see the list of our recent activity look at our recent publications page.
In the same time, we have attracted over £5.5 million of external research funding from UK research councils, charities, and other European and overseas governments and organisations to research a range of themes including:
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science and technology studies
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health
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well-being
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social exclusion
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analysis of policies and professionals
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children and families
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globalisation, citizenship and identity
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medical sociology
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health policy
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the care of vulnerable children
Members of our staff have given presentations to the Cabinet Office, World Bank, and the English and European Parliaments. Their research is often a focus for comment in the media - you may have seen their names in magazines and newspapers – and many have been invited to contribute their expertise to governments, other organisations, and academic bodies nationally and internationally. Staff have designed materials for communicating with users with learning disabilities, children and young people, those with severe mental illness and those with HIV/AIDS; and have provided evidence in the training, feedback events and practice guidance for practitioners/service users.
In the past six years, 50 students have graduated from the School with PhD qualifications. Find out more about our PhD programme.
Professor Stephen Joseph, Director of Research