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 is Covid having 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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Study with us

At the School of Social and Political Science, students are encouraged to question the social, political and technological systems and structures that surround us. Learn more about our programmes of undergraduate and postgraduate study, and how we’ll give you the platform to understand the world and be part of positive change.

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Message from the Head of School

The School of Social and Political Science is working hard to address the challenges for our learning and teaching activities and research in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 has generated challenges for individuals, societies across the world, and for work and wellbeing. Recognising the everyday realities of physical distancing, our teaching will be accessible, adapted and updated due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19...

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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

Philip Rathgeb receiving the Kurt Rothschild Prize
18/01/2022
Social Policy

Edinburgh academic wins prize for research on labour politics in Europe

Dr Philip Rathgeb of the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) has been awarded the Kurt Rothschild Prize for Economic Research and Journalism, for his work on labour politics in the EU, from the Euro crisis to the Covid-19 pandemic.

George Palattiyil at the University of Edinburgh
18/01/2022
Social Work

New committee on development in Uganda calls on SPS academic’s expertise

SPS’ Dr George Palattiyil has joined a new expert committee for the Uganda National Academy of Sciences, to advise on the country’s equitable and inclusive development.
12/01/2022
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

Edinburgh scholar named one of most influential academics in government

Dr Oliver Escobar of the School of Social and Political Science has been named in Apolitical’s 2021 Top 100 Most Influential Academics in Government list.
12/01/2022
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS expert to support WHO work on citizen engagement in policy making

Dr Oliver Escobar of the School of Social and Political Science has become Co-Chair of a World Health Organization editorial board that will support improved approaches for engaging citizens in policy making.

Upcoming events

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19 January 2022
10:00 - 11:00
Centre of African Studies

EADI Virtual Dialogue: Citizens Committees and Local Elites in Burundi

EADI Virtual Dialogue: Citizens Committees and Local Elites in Burundi, 19 January 2021, 11.00 CET
19 January 2022
13:30 - 15:00
Sociology

Less suffering, more dreaming: black lgbtqi poetry disorbiting pain’s paradigm

In this seminar hosted by RACE.ED, tatiana nascimento discusses queer afrodiasporic literature and examines the colonial roots and practice of literary theory and criticism; tatiana nascimento will discuss what it is and how to read literary cuírlombism.
19 January 2022
16:00 - 17:00
Centre of African Studies

The Consultancy Archive in Africa

CAS Seminar - The Consultancy Archive in Africa

Social Anthropology Seminar: Life in Debt / Debt to Life: Water Insurgencies in Europe

The paper tracks two forms of debt that conflict at the volatile edge of the financial frontier.

21 January 2022
15:00 - 17:00