The Department of Social & Policy Sciences is one of the leading centres for social sciences in the UK. We have an excellent reputation for cutting edge research and innovative teaching.Our staff and students are involved in the study of the major challenges that we face as a society:povertyinequalitydisadvantagework and worklessnessviolencethe welfare statecommunity cohesionfamily life and parentinghealth, illness and deathOur world-leadingresearchhas influenced policy and practice at both national and international levels. It has also made major contributions to the development of theory, sensitive research methods and community engagement.In theResearch Excellence Framework (REF2014)an impressive 80% of our publications were judged as world-leading or internationally excellent (3* or 4*)