School of Social and Political Science

School of Social and Political Science

The connections that bind society together are under increasing strain as the planet deals with new challenges. What impact has Covid had on our relationships? What’s the long-term impact to society? Learn how we’re working to understand the effect of a changing world on its people and structures.

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Welcome to SPS!

Our welcome pages have all the information new students need to get started at the School of Social and Political Science.

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Research

Our researchers are tackling some of the biggest issues facing society today, aiming to understand a world that’s changing more rapidly than ever.

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Subject areas

Our subject areas are the heartbeat of our School, with communities of staff and students working together across the social sciences to explore, challenge and identify how to create better societies.
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Students

Whether you’re a current student or you want to join us, you’ll find all the information you need about studying, academic life, and all our support and services here.

Latest news

News content

The cover of the Bairns Hoose Evaluation report
24/03/2023
Social Work

New report finds backing for Bairns Hoose project to improve children’s experiences of justice, child protection, health and recovery services

University of Edinburgh social work researchers have released a new report examining professionals’ views about how children and families who have been through abuse and neglect are experiencing justice, child protection, health and recovery services in Scotland.
Rajagiri College of Social Sciences logo
22/03/2023

University agrees partnership with India’s Rajagiri College of Social Sciences to strengthen social work research and teaching links

The University of Edinburgh has signed a new memorandum of understanding with India’s Rajagiri College of Social Sciences that will create new opportunities for Social Work students and staff across research and learning and teaching.

Cover of the Review of International Studies journal
14/03/2023
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS academic to become editor of the Review of International Studies journal

Dr Andrew Hom, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, will become one of three joint lead editors of the Review of International Studies, from January 2024.

Justice, Safety and Support report
08/03/2023
Social Policy

Opinion - The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018: Achieving its aspirations?

On International Women's Day, Dr Fiona Morrison, Dr Claire Houghton and Dr Camille Warrington ask whether the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 is achieving its aim of improving the Scottish justice system's response to domestic abuse.

Upcoming events

Events content

Cover of Composing Violence
30 March 2023
12:00 - 13:30
Social Anthropology

Book launch: Composing Violence by Moyukh Chatterjee

Join us as we launch Moyukh Chatterjee's Composing Violence.
31 March 2023
14:00 - 15:30
Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

Roundtable: Climate Crisis and Citizen Engagement

Join us for the final Social Policy seminar of the semester, a roundtable about the climate crisis and citizen engagement.
Poster of Deborah Thomas's Munro Lecture
06 April 2023
17:15 - 18:30
Social Anthropology

Munro Lecture: Professor Deborah A. Thomas

In this Munro Lecture, Professor Deborah A. Thomas will reflect on how thinking through surrender can provide a way to envision a mode of relational sovereignty: one that is unanchored to a state, untethered to masculinist notions of revolution and human-ness, and that is instead constituted through iterative practice and grounded in decolonial love and accountability.
Poster of Master Class with Deborah Thomas
07 April 2023
11:00 - 13:00
Social Anthropology

A Master Class: Abstraction, Witnessing, and Repair

Professor Deborah Thomas will give a Master Class in connection with her Munro Lecture.