School of Society and Culture research expertise

Research that drives meaningful change in our society and enriches communities
Professor Annika Bautz presenting at the Plymouth Festival of Words.

School of Society and Culture research expertise

Research that drives meaningful change in our society and enriches communities
Dr Nuria Bonet - Lecturer in Music and Melaine Le Bars Senior Technician (The House/Theatre) give guidance to students.

School of Society and Culture research expertise

Research that drives meaningful change in our society and enriches communities
Histories of the Unexpected Live at the University of Plymouth. Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell bring bring their podcast to the stage.

School of Society and Culture research expertise

Research that drives meaningful change in our society and enriches communities
Writers from the University of Plymouth, including Professor Anthony Caleshu, talked about how poetry has been read and written during the ongoing pandemic.

School of Society and Culture research expertise

Research that drives meaningful change in our society and enriches communities
Lunch at LandWorks, an award-winning independent charity providing a supported route back into employment and the community for people in prison or at risk of going to prison.
 
 

Impactful research

The School of Society and Culture (SSC) is home to a diverse collection of researchers working in the social sciences, humanities and creative arts.
We’re dedicated to advancing knowledge for public benefit, driving meaningful change in our society and enriching communities (be they near us or an ocean away). In line with research in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business , our School's research speaks to 5 major themes:
  • Place, Community and Creativity
  • Heritage, Culture and Digital Innovations
  • Health, Communities and Well-Being
  • Environment and Sustainability
  • UK in A Changing World
Visit the SSC digital repository of staff research to watch short videos from academics working in the School’s disciplines: Anthropology, Art History, Creative Writing, Criminology, Education, English, Environmental Cultures, Heritage, History, International Relations, Law, Politics and Sociology.
The School’s disciplines are grouped into five research units to correlate with the UK REF (Research Excellence Framework) . We are especially proud to report that the most recent REF 2021 exercise demonstrated the strength of our research, with the majority of our ‘outputs’ (books, articles, performances), ‘impactful activity’ (for public benefit), and ‘environment’ (including our PhD graduates, and externally-funded grant awards) rated at 3* or 4* (internationally significant or world leading).
Professor Anthony Caleshu
Associate Head of School: Research, Knowledge Exchange, Enterprise
Image descriptions:
1. Professor Annika Bautz (Head of School of Society and Culture), presents her research into Jane Austen and 19th century reading culture at Plymouth’s ‘Festival of Words’.
2. Lecturer in Music, Dr Nuria Bonet, researches Catalan folk instruments from an organological perspective, and prepares for a gig with students at The House, the University’s bespoke performance space.
3. Professor of Early Modern History, James Daybell, alongside Research Fellow, Dr Sam Willis, bring their internationally-lauded podcast, Histories of the Unexpected, to the stage.
4. Professor Anthony Caleshu (Head of Research in the School of Society and Culture), presents findings from his AHRC-funded project, ‘Poetry and Covid-19’, during the European Research Festival.
5. Associate Professor of Criminology, Julie Parsons, partners with LandWorks, an award-winning independent charity providing a supported route back into employment and the community for people in prison or at risk of going to prison.
 
 

Research units

Research units correspond with REF Units of Assessment

Barbed wire fence against a dramatic sky.
Research in law and criminology (REF Unit of Assessment 18)
Vibrant and sustainable research culture offering expertise in law, social policy and criminology, with links to sociology, history and psychology. In REF 2021, almost 80% of outputs and impact rated 3* or 4*.
Coastal Communities coastal definition, the Hoe, seafront, waves, Plymouth sound
Research in sociology, anthropology, international relations and politics (REF Unit of Assessment 20)
Interdisciplinary research unit which tackles some of the most pressing societal challenges. In REF 2021, 86% of outputs and 100% of environment and impact activity were rated 3* or 4*.The unit was ranked in the top quartile in the UK.
Getty images primary school child 
Research in Education (REF Unit of Assessment 23)
Plymouth Institute of Education research has a life-long, life-wide approach, foregrounding the vital role learning plays in society and culture. In REF 2021, 67% of our overall research profile and 83% of our impact case studies were regarded as 3 or 4*.
Miriam Darlington
Research in English and creative writing (REF Unit of Assessment 27)
Dedicated to the study of literature and the practice of creative writing, this unit's REF 2021 performance highlights include, 91% of‘ outputs and 100% of impact and environment activity rated 3 or 4*, placing it in the top quartile of units in the UK.
Getty old key
Research in history and art history (REF Unit of Assessment 28)
Internationally recognised research excellence in the fields of social and cultural history. In REF 2021, 76% of outputs, 100% of impact, and 90% of environment activity were rated 3* or 4*. Ranked in the second quartile of all units in the UK.

Our PhD programmes

Related links

Rainbow colourful image of person walking in data, connectivity and innovation. Getty image 1148091270.