Research in the School of Social Sciences

Introduction

Researchers from the School of Social Sciences are at the forefront nationally and internationally of debates in a number of disciplines and interdisciplinary fields. This standing is evidenced by our demonstrated achievements in publications, research higher degree completions and external grants. The School also has a strong commitment to conducting research that is ethical, engaged and practice-oriented and many members of staff work closely in their research with the private sector, not-for-profit bodies and all levels of government.

The research profile of the School reflects its demonstrated achievements in:

• Child and family studies;
• Cities and communities;
• Criminology and criminal justice;
• Cultural policy and planning;
• Urban and cultural geography;
• Social and political theory;
• Studies in religion;
• Race and ethnicity;
• Tourism and heritage;
• Communities and sustainable development.

The School of Social Sciences fosters an environment that supports the research activity of academic staff and higher degree students. It is also proud of its productive and cooperative relationships with University research centres in cognate areas.

Staff in the School are members of the following University research centres and groups:

• Centre for Cultural Research (CCR)
• Social Justice Social Change Research Centre (SJSC)
• Urban Research Centre (URC)
• Writing and Society Research Group

The School also has staff who are affiliated with the Narrative, Discourse and Pedagogy Group which is a Research Node of the College of Arts.