Research

Research across the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences is managed by our Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR). The institute's vision is to develop and maintain international recognition for their innovative research and educational activities in key areas.

The Department's research is coordinated by the Weeks Centre for Social and Policy Research under the umbrella of the ISSR.

Students looking at project around a table with a tutor.

Emphasis on the importance of teaching by research

Research active staff teach modules based on their work and publications.

We have an active Departmental programme of seminars and a number of staff are central to the Faculty’s Gender Research Forum. Designated colleagues play an active role in the Faculty’s research committees and at university level, and the associated Ethics Committee. Our staff provide high-quality supervision and support in PhD research.

Projects

We have a good research profile in a number of academic areas. Key research projects are:

Crime and Criminal Justice Research Group
Active research projects include crime reduction, community safety, anti-social behaviour, violence and guns, juveniles in police custody, prostitution. Find out more about the Crime and Criminal Justice Research Group.
Families and Social Capital
This Research Group focuses on the inter-relationship between the dynamics of family change and social resource processes. Visit the Families and Social Capital website.
Your Space
This research study follows changes in young people's relationships with their sisters, brothers and friends over a long period of time. Visit the Your Space website.
Development Studies
Recent work has included migration and refugees, social development, poverty reduction and environmental issues, with particular reference to Africa, China, East and South East Asia.
Politics and Policy
Recent publications and research have included work on local government and sustainability, statistics and the business lobby, vocational education in the EU, the volunteer movement, gender discrimination, moral dilemmas and Women’s Rights, media policy in the digital age, war and the peace movement,genocide in the twentieth century and gender and political representation.

The department performed well in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

Research opportunities

The wide range of research activities in the Faculty, together with the mix of academic staff, post-doctoral research fellows and visiting professors, allows us to offer a stimulating and diverse Postgraduate environment.

Research is mainly carried out at our many centres or groups based within the Faculty. Most of our academic staff belong to one or more of these and research students can expect to join a small team working on particular problems.

Find out more about our Research Degree Programmes.