About us

Our research challenges how we think about the world and our place within it.

We examine some of the most pressing issues facing modern society — promoting understanding, encouraging debate and ensuring people can have their views and experiences heard.

Our work ranges from advising how to shape policies to promote better outcomes for young people to highlighting discriminatory processes in the criminal justice system. We also examine the changing state of global politics, and challenge long-held beliefs on gender, class and sexuality.

The research we do is made to change the world. We aim to shape policy locally, nationally and globally. And we actively share our work, supporting the campaigners who use our research to fight for fairer, safer, more prosperous and culturally-reflective societies.

Our research is led by a multi-disciplinary team of sociologists, criminologists, human geographers and experts in social policy, politics and languages. We work together to pursue a vision for social justice and wellbeing, taking a sociological approach to exploring key issues in intersectional inequalities, discrimination, policy and social trends.

This cross-disciplinary approach gives us the skills, knowledge and authority to tackle complex and longstanding problems. By using innovative research methods — from analysis of big data sets and economic modelling to co-production and the use of sport and film to involve hard-to-reach groups — we help policymakers and practitioners transform people’s lives.

We have built global networks and partnerships with governments, charities, campaign groups and academic institutions to further our reach, understanding and impact.

Our research community is well established and growing, with more than 80 members. We’re the only modern university with a Q-Step Centre, making us a national leader in numeracy and data literacy research.

We welcome discussions with students and early careers researchers about opportunities to study with us.

Our structure

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Discover our world-leading and internationally excellent work.

Organisations we work with

European Commission logo

European Commission

Nuffield Foundation logo

Nuffield Foundation

Leverhulme Trust logo

Leverhulme Trust

Logo of Comic Relief

Comic Relief

  • A protestor raises a defiant fist in front of the government building

    Research groups

    Discover the groups of social scientists leading our 10 research themes.

    Go to Groups
  • Thousands of people protest against New York police in Staten Island over Eric Garner’s death

    Research projects

    Find out about some of our projects to better understand and respond to the big challenges facing modern society.

    Go to projects
  • international student holding pen

    Study with us

    Find out how to join our academics and students in researching some of the big social challenges facing modern communities.

    Go to Study with us
  • An academic audience applauding a speaker

    News and events

    All the latest information about the research, people and study opportunities in social sciences.

    Go to News and events
  • A commuter checks his mobile phone while waiting at a tram stop

    Contact us

    Where to find the Research Centre for Applied Social Sciences (RCASS) and how to get in touch.

    Go to Contact us