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Social Sciences, Education And Social Work

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Research

Recognised globally for the benefit we deliver through our research

Our ambition is that we will be distinguised by our research strengths and recognized globally for the social, economic and cultural benefit we deliver through our research.

Research in SSESW combines five core disciplinary strengths, in Criminology, Education, Social Policy, Social Work and Sociology, so that we proudly proclaim, and see ourselves as key advocates for, the worth and value of the Social Sciences. In addition to promoting the strength of our core disciplines, we are committed to multidisciplinary work that can address local and global challenges, and to creativity and innovation in research agendas and methodologies.

Much of our research is world leading and has influenced policy and practice locally, nationally and globally in many areas including education, criminal justice, the wellbeing of children, social cohesion and mental health. Research in the school is organised around five interdisciplinary research themes: Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion; Children, Young People and Families, Policy and Practice; Crime and Criminal Justice; Contested Societies; and Education: Advancing Understanding, Improving Outcomes.

Professor Joanne Hughes, Director of Research

Research Areas

two teenagers in different school uniforms in front of a graffittee sprayed brick wall
HEALTH, WELLBEING AND INCLUSION

Focusing on the health and well-being of children, young people and adults in schools, the community and institutions

Family Life
CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES

Exploring the development of children and adolescents into young adulthood in their full social and structural contexts

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CRIME AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Exploring the antecedents of offending behaviours across the life course with an emphasis on the impact of traumatic life events and structural inequalities

Lanyon with cool sky
CONTESTED SOCIETIES

Multidisciplinary research into understanding divided societies.

undergraduate student helping primary school pupil with counting
EDUCATION: ADVANCING UNDERSTANDING

Focusing on education in schools, further and higher education, and on how to improve educational opportunities and outcomes

Featured Projects

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Improving Scrutiny of and Knowledge of Police

QUB is driving forward public policy debates in relation police stop and search powers. By examining the history, context and scale of this police practice, such research enhances a deeper understanding of how stop and search is used Northern Ireland’s post-conflict setting.  Particularly regarding children and young people, the research is providing new empirical data with national and international significance. 

Lanyon July2018
Improving attainment by using SMART Spaces

Dr Liam O’Hare leads a collaboration between a team of researchers at QUB and teachers in the Hallam Teaching School Alliance. The team have developed a programme called SMART Spaces for use during GSCE science revision classes, currently being trialled across England in 160 disadvantaged schools with over 14,000 pupils participating. 

  • Research Centres and Institutes

    Our mechanisms for research delivery include a number of interdisciplinary Research Centres, Research Networks and Institutes

    Find out more

  • Our Impact

    87% of research in Education and 76% of research in Social Work and Social Policy was assessed in REF 2014 as either 'Internationally Excellent or World-Leading', with Education ranked 4th in the UK for Research Intensity and Social Work and Social Policy ranked 11th.

    Our Impact

  • Collaborations and Current Projects

    Our academics work collaboratively with an array of international partner organisations to be at the forefront of innovative social research.

    More on our collaborations

  • Environment and Support

    We provide the flexibility for talent to flourish, underpinned by our Graduate School and the Queen’s University Fellowship Scheme.

    Environment and Support

  • Postgraduate Research

    Are you interested in doctoral study in the school of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work? Search for PhD supervisors.

    Postgraduate Research

FIND OUT MORE

Read about our research areas

Upcoming Events

Events

  • 4
    Mar
    Global Irish Network Series: 'The Troubles,' the Covid Pandemic, Unexpected Death and Complex Grief
  • 10
    Mar
    30 minutes with Eamon Costello (DCU) - Universities in times of crisis
In This Section
Research
  • Research Centres and Institutes
  • Research Areas
  • Our Impact
  • Environment/Support
  • Collaborations and Current Projects
  • Visiting Scholars

Upcoming Events

Events

  • 4
    Mar
    Global Irish Network Series: 'The Troubles,' the Covid Pandemic, Unexpected Death and Complex Grief
  • 10
    Mar
    30 minutes with Eamon Costello (DCU) - Universities in times of crisis
  • 24
    Mar
    30 minutes with Amandine le Maire (Heriot-Watt) - Deaf refugees' languaging in Kakuma Refugee Camp
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Contact Us

69-71 University Street
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT7 1HL

GET DIRECTIONS

E-mail: ssesw@qub.ac.uk

Tel:+44 (0)28 9097 5941/3323/5117

Subjects

  • Criminology
  • Education
  • Social Policy
  • Social Work
  • Sociology

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