Social Sciences

Centre for Applied Social Science (CASS)

Social sciences research at the University of Sunderland is delivered primarily through the Centre for Applied Social Science (CASS).

Aims

CASS creates a space to develop new ideas and collaborations both within and beyond academia. Research in the social sciences focuses on making a positive difference to the lives of people and communities in the region, across the UK and around the world. CASS unites academics from across the social sciences and its research mission is to engage in research and practice-based collaborations that aim to:

• Address inequalities and social exclusion
• Promote social and criminal justice
• Contribute to policy, practice, and service development
  
  

Who we are

For more information about CASS please contact our co-convenors:

Dr Nicola Roberts

• Staff profile: Dr Nicola Roberts
• Email address: nicola.roberts@sunderland.ac.uk

Dr Lesley Deacon

• Staff profile: Dr Lesley Deacon
• Email address: lesley.deacon@sunderland.ac.uk
  
  

Research areas

Social sciences research at Sunderland comprises staff who are primarily from the School of Social Sciences and Law, but also includes members from other faculties. We carry out applied and practice-based research in diverse areas including health and social care, education, community and youth work, social work, and criminal justice. Our researchers use a wide variety of approaches and methodologies, including participatory research, feminist and trauma informed methodologies, creative and arts-based approaches, ethnography, discourse analysis, and statistical analysis. We focus on social issues affecting the region and beyond and carry out pioneering research concerning:

• Adult social work, including safeguarding policy and practice
• Children, young people, and families, including child safeguarding
• Creative, critical, and sustainable pedagogies
• Neurodiversity research and practice
• Offender rehabilitation, desistance, and risk management
• Place, space, and wellbeing
• Policing, probation and prisons
• Practice research sexuality, gender and identity
• Social harm and social (in)justice
• Violence and abuse across the life course

News and events

Check out our upcoming events and latest research news stories:

Upcoming events