Our department has a thriving research culture, with teaching and research staff, and postgraduate and undergraduate students, focused on conducting original, ethically-sound data collection and the development of new ideas and theory. Our aim is to conduct research that helps tackle social problems in the UK and around the world and develop ideas that inspire students and the wider community.

Researchers work in fields as diverse as: health and wellbeing, language and education, social policy, political theory, social inequalities, the criminal justice system, and many more areas across the scope of psychology, sociology, and politics. We work closely with other researchers from Sheffield Hallam University, and across the UK and internationally. 

You can view the details of previous and ongoing staff research projects and publications through our staff profiles page. 

Central to the department’s research is the Centre for Behavioural Science and Applied Psychology, where we apply contemporary psychological theory and behavioural science to issues of wellbeing, health, social inclusion, cognition and behaviour change. CeBSAP offers consultancy services to and works alongside local government, charities, and businesses, to develop and evaluate interventions to improve health and wellbeing.

Departmental researchers also form a key part of the Sheffield Institute for Policy Studies, which serves as a space for innovative, inter-disciplinary working in the field of social policy.