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Sociology Engagement and Impact

Our research influences policy debates within the local, national, and international government. Plus, we work with groups and organisations in the public, private, and third sector.

Whilst we as a subject area are made up of individual researchers who work across a number of empirical and theoretical fields, we share a collective commitment to research with a policy, practitioner and social and cultural purpose, to pursue work that is for the public good, locally, nationally, and internationally.

Examples of the kinds of impact our work is having include impacts on:

  • creativity, culture and society. Several colleagues work with creative industries and the third sector, including local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with creative arts organisations and with educational organisations for adults and for young people.
  • social welfare and public policy. This is a central impact activity pursued by different members of staff in close collaboration with both users of welfare services and organisations that advocate for, as examples, welfare reform, disability rights, and migrants’ rights and well-being.
  • practitioners and delivery of professional services, enhanced performance or ethical practice. Ongoing partnerships with practitioners and policymakers are embedded in the research of several colleagues. This includes for example in the fields of health and clinical evaluations, provided training to NHS Trusts, and working with national advocacy groups.