Research in Sociology & Criminology
UWE was one of a few post 1992 universities to enter Sociology in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. The majority (55%) of our research activity was rated as of quality that is internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour. This contributes to the growth in research funding awarded to UWE as a result of the assessment, one of the biggest increases across the sector. As the Sociology panel noted internationally recognised research (2*) represents ‘the top layer of foundational normal science’ while 3* research activity ‘is held in the highest esteem by virtue of its outstanding originality, significance and rigour’. Sociology at UWE achieved this.
Research in Sociology at UWE, is organized around a number of key thematic areas: Psychosocial studies, religion and society, critical theory, health technology and the body and employment studies. Emerging research in Criminology in the department encompasses gang crime, sexual offending, violent crime, youth crime and punishment.
- Centre for Psychosocial Studies (Director: Professor Simon Clarke & Professor Paul Hoggett)
- Unit for the Study of Religion and Spirituality (USRS) (Director: Stephen Hunt)
- Critical Theory (Led by Professor Alison Assiter)
- Health Technologies & The Body (Professor Julie Kent)
- Employment Studies Centre for Employment Studies Research hosted by the Bristol Business Department (Dr Graham Taylor)
- Criminology (Led by Dr Nikki McKenzie)
The international journal, Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society edited by Professor Simon Clarke is also based in the department and the Journal Organisational and Social Dynamics is edited by Anne- Marie Cummins.
In recent years, the Department has been highly successful in obtaining research funding from external bodies - including the ESRC, British Academy, Leverhulme Trust and Wellcome Trust. In 2008 it ran an interdisciplinary seminar series on ‘Regenerative Bodies’ and CPSS runs a regular seminar series, international conferences and short courses for continuing professional development.
