Faculty of Social Sciences research groups

Our social sciences research groups are at the forefront of international research in Education Practice/Theory, and Social Work and Social Policy.

Our research groups in Education Practice / Theory

Our work seeks to resolve major societal problems such as achieving excellence and equity in pupil outcomes. To achieve this, we use an interdisciplinary approach to studying social and educational practice across different research areas.

Children’s Rights and Participation

Exploring how children and young people can make decisions about their education

Professional Learning, Leadership and Governance

The changing nature of professional learning and leadership

Curriculum Making

Developing policy and practice through understanding curriculum

Learning for Complex Futures

 Judgment and decision-making in complex environments

Educational Linguistics

Investigating how communication interacts with social context

Our research groups in Social Work and Social Policy

Our research groups are founded on interdisciplinary teams with backgrounds in social policy, social work, criminology, demography, urban studies, dementia studies and social gerontology. 

Centre for Child Wellbeing and Protection

Delivering equal outcomes for children in a world of inequality.

Social Surveys and Social Statistics Group

Giving methodological support across our research areas.

Salvation Army Centre for Addictions Services and Research

Addressing the challenge of addictions in a person-centred manner.

Public Services and Governance Group

Providing expertise in policy issues, especially in housing and governance.

Centre for Environment, Dementia and Ageing Research

Transforming lives and informing choices, policy and practice.

Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research

Delivering high quality and fair criminal justice.