Research

The department is a centre of excellence in research in social policy and psychosocial intervention. In the most recent evaluation of university research in the UK, 70% of our research activity was classified as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Research in the department is international in outlook: we have numerous comparative research projects as well as many studies focused on particular countries. Although our expertise is mainly on the advanced economies, we have a growing volume of research on developing countries.

Our research contributes both to academic knowledge and debates as well as to policy and practice. We have had a significant impact on policy, from the way in which government funds are allocated, to the design of policy instruments and the delivery of local programmes. Research in the department is frequently covered by the national and international media. And our members of staff are in very high demand for advice on policies or programmes and serve of a wide range of advisory committees.

Within the department, our research is focused around three main groups:

1. Oxford Institute of Social Policy (OISP)
2. Centre for Evidence-based Social Intervention (CEBI)
3. Oxford Centre for Population Research (OXPOP)

In addition, we jointly host the inter-departmental  Centre for AIDS Interdisciplinary Research  at Oxford  (CAIRO).

• Links to previous research groups can be found on this page.