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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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...

Latest SPS responses to Covid 19

Our researchers adapted rapidly to the Covid-19 pandemic, turning their attentions swiftly to addressing one of the major challenges of our times. As well as launching new research covering the range of social sciences, they've been offering expert insight into its impact on society.
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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

Text reads: Constitutionally Sound, Episode 7: Northern Ireland, Conflict and Complexity
15/06/2021
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

Experts discuss Northern Ireland in new episode of Constitutionally Sound

In the latest episode of the Centre on Constitutional Change’s podcast Constitutionally Sound, host Allan Little discusses Northern Ireland with political sociology expert Katy Hayward and former Chief British Government Negotiator on Northern Ireland, Jonathan Powell.

15/06/2021
Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

New toolkit to transform collaborative research approaches across disciplines

Edinburgh researchers and partners have created a new toolkit to support collaboration between arts, humanities, and social science disciplines and STEM areas to solve society’s most complex challenges.
28/05/2021
Social Work

SPS honoured at CAHSS Recognition Awards 2021

Colleagues at the School of Social and Political Science have won a number of awards at the College’s Colleague Recognition Awards this afternoon, including the Adaptation to Change Award, the Excellent Newcomer Award, the Outstanding Team Award, and a highly commended in the Community Engagement Champion Award.
25/05/2021
Social Anthropology

Newsletter showcases new work from Social Anthropology staff and students

The fifth edition of the Edinburgh Anthropology Showcase is out now, celebrating new and recent work from the School of Social and Political Science’s (SPS) Social Anthropology department.

Upcoming events

Events content

This event is only open to students within the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh.
Sociology

Qualitative Analysis and Coding with Quirkos

Once you have your qualitative data, there are a vast array of options to analyse and explore it, helping you create structures, and identify trends and themes, while still preserving the richness of the data.
23 - 24 June 2021
15:00 - 17:00
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

Annual conference: Parliaments and Security: Workshop on Parliaments and Security

Join SPS' Centre for Security Research for an online conference, taking stock of the current understanding of parliaments and security, showcase cutting-edge work in this area, and setting an agenda for future research.

01 July 2021
12:30 - 13:15
Sociology

EREN - Lunchtime Biography Series

Join SPS' Nasar Meer and Edinburgh's Race Equality Network for the EREN Lunchtime Biography Series.
15 July 2021
12:30 - 13:15
Sociology

EREN - Lunchtime Biography Series

Join SPS' Shaira Vadasaria and the Edinburgh Race Equality Network for the EREN Lunchtime Biography Series.