Research in Sociology

Social Policy research at Glasgow seeks to understand, challenge, and ameliorate social inequalities and injustices. We aim to make a difference, by engaging constructively with public debate, policy development, professional practices, and the lived experiences of citizens.  

Our approach to impact recognises it is best pursued through the development and maintenance of long-term relationships with non-academic partners in governments and parliaments, public services and NGOs, and with activists and communities of interest. We do not generate and deliver new knowledge to these groups; rather, we develop research agendas, processes, and impact with them. 

We have dedicated impact officers at College and within the Units that contribute to Social Policy, and our impact strategy is focused on supporting staff to foster links, build collaborations and extend the reach of their work, where compatible with their research. We have enhanced our partnerships through outreach engagement, co-production of research, and through the use of participatory or collaborative action methods to support communities of inquiry and we have lots of experience of using art and creative methods for example, we have produced a graphic novel on XXX, worked with people in pridon on poetry and song composition, through the Distance Voices project. We increased our publications in policy and practitioner journals/newsletters, set up blogs, and developed more diverse forms of outputs, pioneering creative and innovative modes of research, KE and engagement.ETC – can you use specific examples with the links 

We have been successful in obtaining internal funding to support the development of research impact from the University of Glasgow’s Knowledge Exchange Fund (GKE), College of Social Science Impact Funds and through 22 awards from the ESRC-funded Impact Acceleration Account (IAA). This has enabled us to deliver impacts on policy and practice and the improvement of outcomes for beneficiaries across a range of sectors. As well as the 5 Impact Case Studies submitted to REF 2021 our activities generated another 9 potential impact case studieshave made a difference in relation to . Impact work from three of our research teams has been recognised in an ESRC Celebrating Impact Award, and two Universities Scotland/Scottish Funding Council Gamechanger Awards.  

Our researchers, collectively and individually, are making important and timely contributions to a range of academic, policy and practice debates in established and emergent social policy fields.