About the Social and Public Policy Research Group (SPPRG)

The Social and Public Policy Research Group is a multidisciplinary research group dedicated to understanding the complex social world in which we live. It includes members from a broad range of social sciences, including criminology, international relations, politics, sociology, philosophy, social policy, public health, and policing.

The group is an applied research group that cohesively combines various academic disciplines to address a range of personal, social, political, and cultural issues across the socio-ecological model (individual, interpersonal, community, and societal) that impact policy and practice in the real world. These issues are explored in collaboration with a broad range of local, regional, and international organisations.

Aims and objectives

The group has a number of aims and objectives as listed below:

• Why – To enable a clearer understanding of the complex society that we live in so that we can develop fit-for-purpose policies and practices.
• How – Through high quality research, evidence-based practice, policy formulation and public/community engagement.
• What - To help facilitate a better understanding of the complexity of social life, across the socio-ecological model, and the challenges that it poses, as well as help to promote the most appropriate policy and practice responses. 

Group structure

Group Lead: Professor Kieran McCartan

Theme Leads:

• Identities, (In)Equalities and Communities: Dr Julia Carter and Dr Philippa Carr
• Justice and Security: Dr Suwita Hani Randhawa and Dr Nick Addis
• Philosophical Approaches to Culture and Environment: Dr Katrina Mitcheson