Faculty of Social Sciences news
Scottish Borders Council works with University of Stirling on dementia-friendly care village
Members from Scottish Borders Council visited University of Stirling dementia design experts this week to explore options for the region’s new Tweedbank care village.

Be part of the play in unique theatre event coming to Alloa
A unique theatre experience is coming to Alloa where the audience is invited to steer the play.

Social science fest features theatre, displays and discussions for all ages
The University of Stirling is putting on a host of exciting events – all of them free – to spread the word about social science to the local community in Clackmannanshire.

Art chronicles alcohol and homelessness study as researchers seek innovative way to share findings
A unique art event took place this week in Glasgow chronicling the findings of a research study into the effects of managed alcohol programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Curriculum making research centre first of its kind in the UK
A new research centre focusing on school curriculum making – the first of its kind in the UK - has opened at the University of Stirling.

MSPs unite to call for compassion and kindness as See Beyond campaign is debated in Parliament
In recognition of the impact on those left behind when someone they love dies because of alcohol and drugs, MSPs used a debate on See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland in the Scottish Parliament this week to call for more compassion and support.

The media can play its part in reducing stigma around substance use
The media can play its part in reducing stigma surrounding substance use, according to two University of Stirling academics.

From carer to crusader - how this dementia expert is making a difference
When Sue Northrop signed up for a Masters in Dementia Studies at the University of Stirling, she was caring for her mother with dementia and finding a new role in life as a community activist. Nine years on, she fronts one of the most progressive dementia groups in the country.

Trafficked children face asylum ‘system trauma’, says University of Stirling research
Researchers at the University of Stirling exploring the long-term outcomes for trafficked children in Scotland have found that children face ‘system trauma’ connected to navigating the asylum, welfare and child protection systems.

Stirling graduate’s English school dream comes true
Marie-Anne N’Guessan came to the University of Stirling on a mission – a very specific one: to learn the skills to run her own school for underprivileged children.

Queen of Sweden and former Mars CEO honoured by University of Stirling
The Queen of Sweden and the former CEO of Mars have received honorary degrees from the University of Stirling.

Stirling experts part of £22.5 million research endeavour into improving health and social care
Health and social care experts at the University of Stirling are taking part in a multi-million pound research endeavour that is expected to lead to major changes in the UK’s health and social care policies.

MSPs share 'pain and loss' of their parents' alcohol use as part of new campaign
Miles Briggs MSP has opened up for the first time about his father’s alcohol use, as, together with Monica Lennon MSP, he backs a campaign aimed at reducing the stigma that surrounds deaths due to alcohol and drugs.

University of Stirling part of nationwide drive to address levelling up through research
The University of Stirling has successfully bid for funding in the first phase of a multi-million pound levelling up programme designed to benefit all four nations of the UK.

Call for pubs to help make communities more dementia-friendly
The University of Stirling's Dementia Services Development Centre is calling for pubs to take part in dementia-friendly programme to improve lives in the community.

From academic to lived experience: how the roles were reversed for this disability expert
When Professor Kirstein Rummery began researching disability and equality more than three decades ago, little did she know she would one day be living through the same challenges herself.

Expert on ageing appointed to influential government taskforce
An expert on ageing and older people at the University of Stirling has been appointed to an influential UK Government taskforce.

New campaign shares letters to loved ones lost to alcohol and drugs
‘Everyone knows someone’ is the message behind See Beyond - See the Lives - Scotland, a new campaign from academics and advocacy organisations that aims to reduce the stigma that surrounds deaths due to alcohol and drugs.

We can learn from Scotland’s witch hunts to shape justice today, says criminology expert
We can learn valuable lessons from campaigns that highlight the injustices of Scotland’s witch hunts, says a criminology expert from the University of Stirling.

Primary school children spend less time outdoors, University study finds
Primary school children spend less time playing and learning outdoors, University study finds.

International research to tackle exclusion and inequalities faced by people living with dementia
An international project led by the University of Stirling is to investigate how people living with dementia can be better included in decisions taken in their communities.

University of Stirling expert in substance use and inclusion health recognised by Academy of Social Sciences
One of the country’s leading experts in substance use and inclusion health, Professor Tessa Parkes, has been made a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Social science researchers at the University of Stirling will “hit the ground running” after major £1.25m funding boost
The University of Stirling has received a major funding boost that will have a major impact on social sciences research.

University of Stirling experts are behind call for improvements to policing technologies
A group of University of Stirling experts in criminology, sociology, law and management is behind a call for improvements to policing technologies in Scotland.

University of Stirling ageing experts share pioneering work with Scotland Office minister
Experts in ageing, dementia and housing at the University of Stirling shared their pioneering research and ambitious plans with UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord during a visit to campus today.

Reduced subject choice under Curriculum for Excellence is affecting opportunities and outcomes for Scotland’s young people, research finds
Curriculum narrowing and a reduced choice of school subjects under the Curriculum for Excellence are affecting outcomes for Scotland’s young people, according to a new study from the University of Stirling.

New research finds care home culture vital to boosting physical activity among older people
Physical activity needs to be embedded into the culture of care homes in Scotland, according to new research by the University of Stirling.

MSPs learn of “frontline research” in dementia on visit to University of Stirling
Two Scottish MSPs with interests in housing, equality and older people have visited the University of Stirling to learn about its advances in improving the lives of people living with dementia.

Cancer greater cause for concern than COVID for over 50s
A multi-disciplinary team of researchers at the University of Stirling found chronic health conditions are a greater cause for concern than COVID-19 and that older people feel safer from catching COVID-19 in healthcare settings than in other places in the community.

Heatwaves to impact almost every child on earth by 2050: UNICEF report
New research from UNICEF, supported by experts at the University of Stirling, has estimated that by 2050, every child in the world is expected to be exposed to worsening heatwaves.

Low-tech gadgets have biggest impact for older people, research finds
New research undertaken by housing and ageing experts at the University of Stirling has found that introducing low tech gadgets to retirement living schemes has a major impact on health and well-being.

Forth Valley set to benefit from landmark new health partnership
An ambitious landmark partnership between the University of Stirling, Forth Valley College and NHS Forth Valley has launched today – with the mission to improve patient care and treatments, and boost health research and staff learning across the region.

Pioneering tool to support design of dementia friendly spaces
Experts from the University of Stirling have created a new tool to support families, businesses and professionals to make homes, premises and public places more accessible to an ageing population and those living with dementia.

Tech project succeeds in connecting care home residents during pandemic
A pioneering project introducing iPads to care homes during the pandemic had a significant impact on social isolation, according to experts at the University of Stirling.

£2m research to study impact of place and stigma on older disabled adults
New research exploring the impact of stigma on fuelling inequalities experienced by UK disabled adults in later life has secured funding of £2m.

Major report sets out recommendations for living well with dementia
A major forum into housing and dementia, co-chaired by a University of Stirling academic, has published a series of recommendations on living well with the condition.

Dementia student honoured at the Palace of Westminster
An MSc Dementia Studies student, who balanced his studies with a full-time job as a care home manager while also raising thousands of pounds for charity, has been recognised with a prestigious award.

New report reveals strength of holistic welfare service model for supporting veterans in Glasgow
A new report has been published examining the Social Return on Investment (SROI) generated by Glasgow’s Helping Heroes (GHH) a partnership between SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and Glasgow City Council.

Substance use experts tackle health inequalities among people released from prison
New research is set to explore how health services can better support people released from prison in a bid to reduce the numbers dying from substance use, overdose, and suicide.

‘Essay Mills’ Pose Serious Risk to Scottish Universities
Vulnerable students are turning to online ‘essay mills’ to purchase written work that they then pass off as their own, threatening academic integrity and exploitation, a new study has found.

University of Stirling to lead third research network hub in British Academy pilot
The British Academy has announced that the third and final hub of its Early-Career Researcher (ECR) Network – a two-year pilot programme for UK-based postdoctoral researchers in the humanities and social sciences – will be in Scotland.

Study reveals few infants taken into care in Scotland are placed with brothers and sister
Only one in five infants taken into care in Scotland who had older brothers or sisters were initially placed with them, according to a new study funded by Scottish Government which has been published today.

The Scottish Pharmacy Alliance convenes to reduce drug deaths
Former Chair of the Drug Deaths Taskforce for Scotland Professor Catriona Matheson, University of Stirling and Managing Director of Pharmacy in Practice Johnathan Laird have partnered to convene the inaugural Scottish Pharmacy Alliance meeting to reduce drug-related harms and deaths in Scotland.

Stirling social worker launches network to support Ukrainian colleagues
A University of Stirling social worker has launched an international network to support social and community workers impacted by the war in Ukraine.

Stirling academic’s expertise helps form major new human trafficking guidelines
New guidance aiming to tackle and prevent human trafficking has been published by the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe), supported by the expertise of a University of Stirling social work lecturer.

Stirling social scientists honoured by Academy
Two University of Stirling staff members have been announced as Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Academics launch review of digital tech programme tackling social isolation in care homes
A team of academics from the University of Stirling has been funded to study the success of a pioneering digital inclusion programme rolled out in care homes during the pandemic

New project to examine how primary educators access research to inform teaching
A new major project to examine how primary teachers access and engage with literacy research to inform teaching is underway.

Stirling housing expert leads major report on veterans’ homelessness
The findings of a new report – led by a University of Stirling expert on behalf of the Veterans’ Scotland Housing Group – will help tackle homelessness among former armed forces personnel.

Research will be first to study LGBT+ experience of welfare system
In a world first, a major new research project is being launched to examine the experiences of LGBT+ people when accessing the benefits system in the UK.
