warrior statues

CULTURES,
COMMUNITIES
AND SOCIETY

Nothing exists in isolation from the rest of the world, and studying and researching subjects in their wider context is at the heart of our thematic area of Cultures, Communities and Society. 

By exploring the past and recognising how we can learn from it, promoting innovations in teaching and understanding distinctive cultures and political authority, we strive to bring communities together in mutually-beneficial ways.

Related research programmes

Home, Housing and Community

Millions across the world remain homeless. Focusing on social justice, we influence the agenda for policy and practice, promoting a safe and secure home for everyone.

Home, Housing and Community

Cultural Heritage

Society's identity, wellbeing and progress are constantly challenged. We empower communities by enhancing their understanding of their cultural past to positively influence their future.

Cultural Heritage

Digital Society and Culture

Digital technologies are changing the way we live. Our critical thinking questions the impact of these changes and explores potential solutions to address the challenges this creates.

Digital Society and Culture

See all 12 of our research programmes

Take a closer look at all of our research programmes and see how we're working to make a difference for individuals and communities nationally and internationally. 

All programmes

Impact highlights

Catching criminals through psychology

EvoFIT is an award-winning system for constructing facial composites of offenders by witnesses and victims of crime. The technology is used by police forces all over the world, but it was first created at the University of Stirling. EvoFIT has an identification rate of 60%, with evidence suggesting that this figure is 10 times higher than traditional methods.

Shaping policy across the generations

Our research into identifying and helping vulnerable children formed part of the UK Government-funded ‘Safeguarding Children Research Initiative’, which led to the development of a range of training materials and learning resources used by child safeguarding agencies across England and clinical staff in NHS Scotland.

healthy ageing in scotland

Researcher Spotlight

See how we're improving the lives of Scotland’s older population by providing policymakers with a comprehensive insight into the economic, health and social circumstances of people over 50. 

Explore research
Viktoria Mileva

PhD Profile – Viktoria Mileva

Our academics are passionate about studying how we communicate with and understand others. Find out more about our research into human interactions and the impact of perceived social status on behaviour.

Read more about Viktoria Mileva

More research themes

Global Security and Resilience

Providing the world's population with a sustainable way of living.

Global Security and Resilience

Living Well

Helping people to maintain, attain or regain good health.

Living Well