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The University of Manchester School of Social Sciences

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The University of Manchester School of Social Sciences

Proud, ambitious and friendly, we offer world-class learning with a strong sense of community.

We're a large School, but we have a strong sense of community and research-led teaching and learning. Students enjoy an inclusive, vibrant and exciting environment here. Our specialised Centres and Institutes carry out world-leading, empirical research, ensuring that our research is focused on addressing major social, economic and political challenges in the UK and globally. Our teaching and resea

rch are founded on a unique combination of eight disciplines: Criminology, Economics, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Social Statistics.

09/09/2026

From Classroom Concepts to City Streets: Learning about Peace and Conflict in Manchester.

What stories are hidden in the places we walk past every day?
For Politics & International Relations student Sophie O'Donnell, a recent Peace & Conflict Tour transformed the way she saw Manchester.

Developed through a Diversifying the Curriculum project in partnership with Invisible Cities, the tour gave students on POLI30262: Dimensions of Peace and Conflict the opportunity to explore how conflict, memory, resilience and social change are reflected in Manchester's streets, memorials and public spaces.

As Sophie reflected:
“Learning about places in the city centre that I'd walked past countless times over the years without ever truly knowing their history gave me a completely different, deeper perspective on the city.”

From the Cathedral to historic pubs, memorials and statues, students explored how familiar places have been shaped by conflict, political movements and community responses.

For Sophie, learning more about events including the IRA bombing and Manchester Arena attack offered a deeper understanding of their impact, as well as Manchester's response and recovery.

Learning from a tour guide with lived experience and detailed knowledge of Manchester added another dimension, helping connect discussions about peace and conflict with the experiences of people within the city.

Most importantly, the tour helped bring ideas from the module into the real world. Seeing perspectives from anthropology and art in practice made them easier for Sophie to understand and gave her valuable insight when approaching her final essay.

“What I found most valuable was being able to apply content from our module to real places in real life.”

For Sophie, Manchester became more than a place to study — it became part of the learning experience.

📖 Want to discover more? Read Sophie’s full reflection on the Peace & Conflict Tour and how it changed the way she sees Manchester: https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/humanities-blog/2026/09/04/from-classroom-concepts-to-city-streets-learning-about-peace-and-conflict-in-manchester/

07/09/2026

We’re pleased to help promote an upcoming The British Academy Lecture hosted by The University of Manchester, featuring Professor Stefano Bartolini, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute and one of Europe’s leading scholars of comparative politics and political theory.

📅 Wednesday 14 October 2026
🕔 17.00–19.00
📍 University of Manchester

Rule Making Rules: The Origins of Western Political Institutions and Why They Matter Today

In this thought-provoking lecture, Professor Bartolini will explore how Western political institutions developed through centuries of competition between different sources of rules, authority and legitimacy — from Roman law and medieval self-government to the evolving relationship between secular and religious authority.

He will consider how the coexistence of different normative traditions helped shape political pluralism and institutional diversity, and what this distinctive historical development can tell us about the strengths and limitations of Western political institutions today.

🎟️ Tickets and further information:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/british-academy-lecture-2026-professor-stefano-bartolini-tickets-1998949885919

A great opportunity for anyone interested in politics, political theory, history and the development of Western institutions.

04/09/2026

We’re delighted to celebrate two colleagues from our School, Professor Yaojun Li and Professor Andreja Zevnik, who have been elected Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.

The Academy recognises significant contributions to social science and highlights the important role of social science in understanding and addressing societal challenges facing the UK and the world today.

Professor Yaojun Li is an internationally recognised sociologist whose research focuses on social mobility, social stratification, ethnic integration, social capital, education and labour markets. He has conducted extensive research into social mobility and inequality, with a particular focus on class, education, employment, income and ethnic integration in Britain and China.

Professor Andreja Zevnik is an interdisciplinary scholar whose research explores political resistance, protest, race, identity and marginalisation. Her work draws on psychoanalysis, continental philosophy and postcolonial theory to examine how political identities and forms of resistance are produced

Their election as Fellows recognises their significant contributions to social science and the importance of research that helps us understand inequality, identity, political mobilisation and social change.

Congratulations to Yaojun and Andreja on this well-deserved recognition. We’re proud to see their work recognised by the Academy of Social Sciences.

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/four-manchester-academics/

20/08/2026

As the UK faces a summer of record-breaking heat and devastating wildfires, new analysis explores the links between climate policy, green technology and UK-China relations.

In their latest article for The Conversation UK researchers James Jackson, of The University of Manchester Department of Politics, and Mathias Larsen, of The London School of Economics and Political Science - LSE, argue that meeting the UK's climate goals may depend on greater cooperation with China, the world's leading producer of many green technologies.

The article highlights the challenges and opportunities facing policymakers as they navigate climate action, economic priorities and global relationships.

📖 Discover the research and explore what it could mean for the UK's climate future.

🔗 Read the article: https://theconversation.com/wildfires-and-a-summer-of-extreme-heat-mean-andy-burnham-cant-stay-quiet-on-climate-any-longer-288465
📄 Read the report:https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1369/0d1a83c3-321f-4ff5-9b11-a12b7ad0648b/china-uk_report_.pdf

Image Attribution: “Prime Minister Andy Burnham visits Stourbridge” by Number 10, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/number10gov/55469194547/in/photostream/

14/08/2026

💭You've been accepted into the School of Social Sciences..... but what does that really mean?

We asked our recent graduates to summarise the School in one word to give you a flavour of what it's like here - another word we'd add is welcoming!

From our Student Hub to Academic Advisors, Lecturers to Professional Services staff, everyone is on hand to support you navigating this new chapter.

We can't wait to meet you during Welcome Week, but for now enjoy the summer🏖🍦

13/08/2026

Happy A-Level results day to everyone receiving their exam results today! 🎉

Congratulations to everyone who has been accepted to study with us at SoSS and The University of Manchester.

The School of Social Sciences (SoSS) will be your home School if you’ve picked to study any of the following subjects with us:

👉Criminology
👉Economics
👉Law
👉Politics
👉Philosophy
👉Anthropology
👉Social Statistics
👉Sociology

We can’t wait to see you on campus in September! 💜

06/08/2026

🎥 What does belonging mean in Manchester?

Students from the School of Social Sciences and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures explored this question through Manchester Through Her Eyes, a documentary produced with SICK! Productions and Freshrb.

The project formed part of the Creative Track internship programme, which helps students from backgrounds under-represented in the creative industries gain hands-on experience in research, storytelling and film production.

Congratulations to Abigail Elias, Jude Pfieiffer, Jasmin Khaled Araby Aly, Sofia Sarosh and Lailah Boateng, who presented their film after two weeks of creative collaboration and learning.

Find out more about the project: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/student-interns-capture-stories-of-belonging-in-manchester-through-documentary-with-sick-productions/

03/08/2026

Fraud is now one of the most common crimes affecting people in the UK, while money laundering continues to enable wider criminal activity.

Researchers in Criminology Manchester have examined how organisations work together to tackle economic crime, including fraud, bribery, corruption and money laundering. The study identifies key barriers to effective collaboration and highlights practical changes that could strengthen the UK's response.

The findings demonstrate how University research is helping to address major societal challenges and inform future policy and practice.

Read more below. ⬇️
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/fragmented-system-hampering-uk/

28/07/2026

🚶‍♀️🚲 How safe do women feel when travelling around Greater Manchester?

Researchers at The University of Manchester are inviting women who live, work or travel in Greater Manchester to take part in a new study exploring experiences of road safety and transport across the region.

Led by Dr Caroline Miles and Professor Rose Broad, the research will explore women's experiences as drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. The study will examine feelings of safety and confidence while travelling, concerns about road safety and personal security, barriers that influence travel choices, and ideas for improving safety and accessibility.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), funded through the Vision Zero Innovation Fund, and informed by the Gender-Based Violence Strategy.

The findings will be presented to the Greater Manchester Safer Roads Partnership Board later this year. Researchers hope the project will help ensure women's perspectives are better reflected in future road safety policies, interventions and transport planning.

📣 If you are a woman who lives, works or travels in Greater Manchester, this is an opportunity to share your experiences and help build the evidence needed to support safer and more inclusive transport networks across the region: https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_eA8j3duPFH5CtrE

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/womens-experiences-of-travel-and-road-safety-in-greater-manchester/

24/07/2026

Choosing your uni accommodation… and worried about getting it wrong? 🏡👀

City or campus? Catered or self-catered? En-suite or shared?!

If you’ve been going back and forth (for hours 😅)… you’re not alone.

In a recent blog, one of our students shared how they chose their accommodation—and what they wish they’d known before arriving.

💡 Here’s the key takeaway: you can’t really get this “wrong”.

At Manchester, there’s something for everyone—whether you want:
• The buzz of Fallowfield
• The calm of Victoria Park
• Or the energy of city living

✨ For this student, choosing Victoria Park meant:
• Peace and quiet when needed
• Easy access to campus
• A great balance between study and city life

🏡 Their top tips for choosing your accommodation:
✅ Think about your flat size
More people = more social, but also more noise
✅ Consider your commute
Cold mornings and early lectures feel very different depending on where you live
✅ Look at communal spaces
Great shared areas can make it easier to meet people and feel at home
✅ Think about who you want to become
Where will you thrive—not just live?
✅ Make it your own

It’s what you bring (your things, your people and your experiences) that makes it feel like home

💬 And remember…

You’re not just choosing a room—you’re choosing a community.

Many students make lifelong friends in halls, and you’ll have opportunities to get involved, meet new people and settle into university life from day one.

✨ Plus, eligible new full-time undergraduate students are guaranteed an offer of a room in University accommodation, helping take some of the stress out of planning your move.

Even if your accommodation isn’t exactly what you expected, things can change—and many students find their perfect fit after first year.

Wherever you start, you’ll figure it out—and you’ll find your place here 💜

👉 Planning your move? Save this post and explore your accommodation options via the link in our bio.

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Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/

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