Social Sciences

Social Sciences

The School of Social Sciences is characterised as much by its active and outward-looking research culture as its teaching. There is a strong emphasis on theoretically informed applied research including a focus on contemporary social issues and policy agendas. This is rooted in the five divisions of the School:

Criminology, Public Health and Policy Studies
Guidance, Youth Studies and Youth Justice
Politics and Sociology
Psychology
Social Work, Health and Social Care and Counseling

With contributions to two interdisciplinary research groups in Social Policy.

The School has a reputation for producing high quality, socially relevant research of practical use. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) NTU’s social policy research was highly ranked. The Assessment showed that for social policy:

60% of our research is either world-leading or internationally excellent
95% of our research is international standard
NTU’s social policy research is the strongest in the region.

Psychology at NTU now has an established international research reputation with 50% of all research being classified as international or internationally excellent. In the Times Higher Education Supplement listings the Division now sits alongside such long-standing units as Leicester, Queen’s Belfast, Stirling and Warwick.

We undertake theoretically-driven research, which both emerges from and contributes to our applied work. Our research is often inter-disciplinary; drawing from across the social sciences and also in partnership with universities throughout the UK and overseas. The Social Policy research group is central to the promotion of this inter-disciplinary approach.

We have specialisms in neurobiological and social aspects of risk taking; technology and behaviour; cognition and design, offender health, mental health and wellbeing, crime reduction, homelessness, politics, fostering and adoption, gender and vulnerable groups. We are committed to transferring our knowledge and skills to support the community at regional, national and international level.

Methodological expertise include: RCT; quantitative studies using large data sets, systematic reviews, qualitative research including case study and participatory action research.

Our research income is drawn from a wide range of funding bodies, including; the British Academy, EPSRC, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the EU, the Home Office, and a range of Government departments, national charities and public service agencies.

The quality and applied nature of much of the School’s research has resulted in invitations to act as advisers to a number of national bodies both within and related to Government. These include the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the House of Commons All Party Gambling Scrutiny Committee and the Curriculum and Qualifications Authority.