Sociology: Unit of Assessment 41
The majority of research in UoA 41, Sociology is officially classified as world-leading, internationally excellent or recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour, having been placed in the three highest categories for quality in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.
| Quality Level | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | Unclassified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of research activity | 15 | 35 | 35 | 15 | 0 |
We have a strong reputation for applied and policy-orientated research, and contributing to local, national and international debates. Since 2001 this has progressed into a strong and determined transformation from Social Policy to Sociology, which reflects our ambition to create a major UK centre.
Our research has grown in numbers of staff and research income with grants over £8.15m across 101 projects. Colleagues draw from diverse intellectual backgrounds, benefitting our increasing cross disciplinary boundaries. In addition we have also seen rapid increase in PGR's and PhD completions, with over a third being funded studentships.
Most significant is strong investment in high quality sociologists, underpinning the future of the discipline. A series of key appointments further develops the expertise in our research clusters:
- Health and Life sciences
- Identities
- Contemporary Social Transformation
Based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology (GPS), our research has been enhanced by new structures and excellent organisational support such as joint PGR supervision, a generous study leave scheme and conference support. Early career researchers are further supported with teaching loaded into single semesters, rotation of administration duties and assistance with grant bids.
Sociology has three well-established research centres, which between them generate grant monies in the region of £6m:
- Policy Ethics and Life Sciences (PEALS)
- Centre for Gender and Womens Studies (CGWS)
- Newcastle Centre for Family Studies (NCFS) now absorbed into Institute of Health and Society (IHS).
We have a strong international focus too, notably in several European countries and parts of North and South America, including far-reaching links with organizations such as Oxfam and UNESCO.
Sociology runs well established visiting speaker seminar series, combined with series for staff to informally present papers. We organised a highly successful, two day Sociology symposium in 2007.
