Research in the Faculty of Social Sciences

Our research agenda reflects the complex challenges of our age and our academics work at the forefront of knowledge, building lasting partnerships with researchers, policymakers, NGOs and businesses across the globe.

Faculty research institutes and centres

Elderly lady with walking stick and carer

Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Equalities (CIRCLE)

CIRCLE conducts research, evaluation and consultancy on contemporary policy, practice and theoretical issues and debates on topics in three main areas: care, labour and equalities.

iHuman

iHuman brings together social sciences and humanities with psychological and biological sciences, to understand what it means to be human like never before.

Urban Institute

By 2050, the world's population will be more than 9 billion and around 70 per cent of those people will live in cities. The Urban Institute brings together researchers in the Faculties of Engineering and Social Sciences to reshape urban futures.

Faculty research networks

White text on purple background: Behavioural Research Alliance for Impact and Networks at Sheffield

BRAINS (Behavioural Research Alliance for Impact and Networks at Sheffield)

The Behavioural Research Alliance for Impact and Networks at Sheffield is dedicated to understanding and influencing human behaviour for societal and organisational good.

White text on purple background: Climate Health Resilience Research Network

Climate Health Resilience Research Network (CHARRN)

CHARRN aims to bridge critical gaps in research and policy to tackle climate change, health disparities and socioenvironmental resilience, ensuring that climate adaptation strategies integrate equity.

Digital Society Researchers Network

DSRN offers an inclusive venue for learning, collaboration, and support around digital research and methods.

Gender Research Network

Connecting researchers across disciplines, the Gender Research Network seeks to explore interdisciplinary solutions to pressing social issues, with research across gender, sexuality, feminist thought and queer studies.

Institute for Global Sustainable Development (IGSD)

IGSD unites researchers from different disciplines to address global challenges in collaboration with partners and communities worldwide, centring around topics such as health, environment, rural livelihoods, cities, data and innovation.

Intersectionality Research Network

The Intersectionality Research Network brings together researchers across disciplines and methods who share an interest in uncovering, understanding and addressing intersectional inequalities.

Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute (SPERI)

The Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute (SPERI) brings together leading researchers, policymakers, journalists and opinion formers to develop new ways of thinking about political economy.

Migration Research Group

Migration Research at The University of Sheffield is an interdisciplinary network of scholars conducting world-leading and high impact research on global migration and mobility.

Interdisciplinary external research investments

One person helping an elderly person using a walking stick to walk out of a door and down some steps

Centre for Care

The Centre for Care provides accessible evidence on care to inform changes that could improve the lives of millions of people.

People sat in a lecture theatre looking engaged

Digital Good Network

The Digital Good Network is focused on how digital technologies can work for people, society and the economy.

School for Social Care Research

The University of Sheffield is a member of the School for Social Care Research (SSCR). The SSCR improves the research evidence for adult social care in England.