School of Social and Political Science

School of Social and Political Science

For as long as we have society, we'll need social scientists.

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Inaugural Lectures

Inaugural lectures provide an opportunity for a newly appointed or promoted professor to introduce their work, and themselves, to the University community.

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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

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Photo of five women, all PSA Founding Fellows, holding their certificates and smiling at the camera
14/05/2025
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

Three SPS academics are new founding fellows of the Political Studies Association 

Professor Sarah Childs, Professor Meryl Kenny and Professor Fiona Mackay from the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) have become founding fellows of the Political Studies Association (PSA).  
The Scottish Election Study team holding their prize certificates and smiling into the camera
09/05/2025
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS academics receive the Pippa Norris Prize from the Political Studies Association

School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academics who run the Scottish Election Study have received the 2025 Pippa Norris Prize from the Political Studies Association (PSA) for outstanding contributions to advancing knowledge in political studies. 
Cover image of The Rape Clause report
07/05/2025
Sociology

SPS academic’s new research raises questions on the viability of the two-child benefit limit and its rape clause exemption

A new report from School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academic Dr Rebecca Hewer highlights fundamental issues with the two-child limit on Universal Credit and its rape clause exemption.

Photo of four SPS academics - Fraser McMillan, Ailsa Henderson, Davide Vampa and Meryl Kenny - with their prizes
05/05/2025
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS course awarded Jacqui Briggs Prize from the Political Studies Association

A team of School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academics has received the 2025 Jacqui Briggs Prize from the Political Studies Association (PSA) for outstanding contributions to advancing teaching and learning in political studies.

Upcoming events

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Macqueen Lecture 20May2025
20 May 2025
16:00 - 19:00
Social Work

Poverty and the Rise and Fall of the British Welfare State since 1900

This is the second lecture in the annual lecture series in memory of Julie-Ann Macqueen, an alumna of the Diploma in Social Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

Ida B Wells
21 May 2025
15:00 - 16:30

CRITIQUE Seminar, British Moral Sentiment and Black Self-Respect: Wells on Truth and Political Action with Jennie Ikuta

poster event
22 May 2025
11:00 - 12:30
Social Anthropology

The Time Inheritors: How Time Inequalities Shape Higher Education Mobility in China

Unexpected Guests
22 May 2025
16:00 - 18:00
Social Work

‘Unexpected Guests’: re-imagining relationships to voices

“Unexpected Guests” is a short documentary film exploring Elisabeth Svanholmer's unusual perceptions and experiences.