SOCIAL WORK & SOCIAL POLICY

BACK TO REF 2021

• Social Policy is ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in the UK out of 76 submissions
• This represents a rise of 15 places compared to 2014.
• 83% of Social Work and Social Policy’s impact is deemed very considerable (3*) or outstanding (4*) 
• 78% of our research activity is classed as internationally excellent (3*) and world-leading (4*)

Social Work and Social Policy research at Northumbria engages with pressing social issues at a global, national and sub-national level and has clear impact beyond academia. From transnational organised crime and international conflict to gendered violence and mental health policy, our interdisciplinary research is highly diverse and draws upon the disciplines of criminology, international relations, politics, social policy, social work and sociology.

Research in the Unit is organised through two University multi-disciplinary research themes (MDRTs) – Global Development Futures and Integrated Health and Social Care; two university research centres – the Centre for International Development and the Centre for Crime and Policing; one cross-university research network – the Gender, Violence and Abuse Research Network; a cross-university research, training and evaluation group – the Healthy Living Lab; and three research clusters entitled Insecurity, Violence and Harm, Power, Culture and Identities and International Relations. Find out more about our research activities, culture and impact below.