Research

Social and Policy Studies is an interdisciplinary social science team with a focus on research in Social Policy, Criminology and Sociology.

Our world-class research focuses on 5 key clusters: children, young people and families; applied criminal justice; intersectionalities and citizenship; digital and health technologies; and consumption, culture and inequalities.

These are underpinned by methodological expertise and innovation, including in participatory and mixed research methods that generates evidence-based research both on and with marginalised groups. We also host the Centre for Research in Social Policy, world-renowned for its work on the Minimum Income Standard, which has influenced public policy both in the UK and internationally.

Read more about research in Social and Policy Studies here, or visit the School website to learn more about wider research activity across the eight School of Social Sciences and Humanities research themes:

School of Social Sciences and Humanities research

100% of research impact rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Research areas

Criminology and social policy research

Including clusters on applied criminal justice; and children, young people and families.

Sociology research

Including clusters on intersectionalities and citizenship; digital and health technologies; and consumption, culture and inequalities.

'Child First' Justice: the research evidence-base

We are at the forefront of a progressive approach to how children should be understood, treated, and supported when they come to the attention of the Youth Justice System.

Find out more

Research networks

Centre for Research in Communication and Culture (CRCC)

CRCC is a large, vibrant, interdisciplinary centre for communication, cultural and media analysis. Established in 1991, it is the largest of its kind and is distinguished by both its scope and scale.

Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP)

Over the past 30 years, CRSP has built a national and international reputation for high quality applied policy research. The Centre’s biggest role at present is the researching and analysis of A Minimum Income Standard for the United Kingdom.

Loughborough’s Qualitative Digital Research Laboratory (LiQUiD Lab)

LiQUiD Lab is an interdisciplinary peer-to-peer network. It runs workshops, lectures, and peer training in qualitative methods and research techniques.

Young Carers Research Group (YCRG)

YCRG conducts high quality research, evaluation and consultancy on all matters relating to children with caring responsibilities in order to advance knowledge and inform the development of health and social care policy and good practice.