Department of Social Sciences
Social Sciences is a dynamic and innovative Department within the Glasgow School for Business and Society. We are dedicated to providing both undergraduate and postgraduate students with a friendly, engaging and research-led learning environment. We are committed to research excellence, public engagement and community empowerment. Our learning, teaching, research and community engagement is informed by our commitment to the Common Good.
Our focus on distinct academic disciplines means that we are able to provide strong disciplinary pathways on the BA/BA (Hons) Social Sciences (in Criminology and Policing, History, Politics, as well as Sociology and Social Policy) and the MSc Health History. However, our interdisciplinarity also means that we make valuable contributions to the MSc International Economics and Social Justice, and the MSc Climate Justice at GCU.
Research
Social Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian seeks to engage with two of the societal challenges outlined in the GCU Research Strategy - Inclusive Societies and Healthy Lives. Therefore, our work contributes to the research themes of social innovation, equalities and justice, and public health and long-term conditions.
As a department, we are organised around the academic disciplines of criminology, history, politics and public policy, and sociology and social policy. However, our teaching and research also reflects a strong interdisciplinary focus. In research, we contribute to the work of both The WiSE Centre for Economic Justice and The Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, and we are in partnership with the University of Strathclyde in the Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare. Within the Department of Social Sciences, we host the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit and a number of interdisciplinary research groups – the Gender Research Group, the Justice, Violence and Gender Research Group and the Sport and Physical Activity Research Group.
Our research in all these areas underpins our teaching and also means our teaching has an applied aspect, focusing on real-world challenges to equip our students with the skills necessary for global employability, critical citizenship, and life-long learning.
Degree courses
Social Sciences
Mode of study | Duration | Start date | Location | UCAS code |
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Full Time |
2 - 4 Years | Sep 25 | Glasgow | L000 |
Follow a career focused on understanding and changing society. Study this degree course and explore issues such as crime, justice, democracy, globalisation, immigration, gender, consumer culture and human rights.
Human Rights
Mode of study | Duration | Start date | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Full Time |
1 Year | Jan 25 | Glasgow |
Develop your knowledge of international human rights and study how these rights are realised, inhibited and supported, and how they can eliminate poverty, inequality and discrimination.
View 5 other study options
Award | Mode of study | Duration | Start date | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc (Professional practice) | Full Time | 2 Years | Jan 25 | Glasgow |
Award | Mode of study | Duration | Start date | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Full Time | 1 Year | Sep 25 | Glasgow |
Award | Mode of study | Duration | Start date | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc (Professional practice) | Full Time | 2 Years | Sep 25 | Glasgow |
Award | Mode of study | Duration | Start date | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Full Time | 1 Year | Jan 26 | Glasgow |
Award | Mode of study | Duration | Start date | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc (Professional practice) | Full Time | 2 Years | Jan 26 | Glasgow |
Meet the department
Our teaching and support staff are here to help.
For course and programme enquiries:
T: +44 (0)141 331 8630
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Kate Butterby
Researcher
Department of Social Sciences
Kate.Butterby@gcu.ac.uk -
James Foley
Lecturer in Politics
Department of Social Sciences
jfo9@gcu.ac.uk -
Janet Greenlees
Reader in Health History
Department of Social Sciences
+44 (0)141 331 8209 janet.greenlees@gcu.ac.uk -
Ruth Lightbody
Senior Lecturer in Politics, International Lead for Social Sciences
Department of Social Sciences
+44 (0)141 331 8797 ruth.lightbody@gcu.ac.uk -
Nancy Lombard
Professor in Sociology and Social Policy
Department of Social Sciences
+44 (0)141 273 1471 nancy.lombard@gcu.ac.uk -
William McDougall
Lecturer in Politics
Department of Social Sciences
+44 (0)141 331 1637 William.mcdougall2@gcu.ac.uk -
John Holland McKendrick
Professor in Social Justice
Department of Social Sciences
+44 (0)141 331 8221 j.mckendrick@gcu.ac.uk -
Lesley McMillan
Professor of Criminology and Sociology
Department of Social Sciences
+44 (0)141 331 8284 lesley.mcmillan@gcu.ac.uk -
Katy Proctor
Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Policing
Department of Social Sciences
+44 (0)141 331 8119 Katy.Proctor@gcu.ac.uk -
Annette Robertson
Interim Head of Department
Department of Social Sciences; Glasgow School for Business and Society
+44 (0)141 331 3181 annette.robertson@gcu.ac.uk