Sociology, Planning and Policy – MRes

This course is hosted by the Faculty of Development and Society Graduate School. The Graduate School website provides a communication hub for students and staff engaged in research, information about our research work, and useful contact information.

During this course we introduce you to social research methods and strategies, and the supporting theories and philosophies. You can also develop areas of specialist interests. On a number of the modules, you meet and discuss research issues with students from our other MRes courses.

This course is for you if you have a first degree in social sciences and plan to• work in areas of social policy and sociology or
• carry out research in these and related subject areas such as town planning or environmental studies

If you are already working in the field, you may be sent by your current employer to develop the skills you need to further your career.

Our staff are currently involved in research areas including
• labour market and occupational studies
• public health
• discourse and identities
• European, international and comparative politics and policy
• heritage policy and practice
• environment and sustainability
• visual ethnography
• sacred sites and pagan spirituality
• consumerism and later life
• education and social class
• poverty and inclusion
• ethnicity and religion
• media and impact on diversity and equality
• social activism
• illness and medicines usage
• sexualities and gender
• violence and society
• teenage pregnancy and parenting
• carers and employment
• work and family life

You study a range of research methodologies throughout the course including • biographical research • case study • ethnography • experimental design • media analysis • survey design and analysis • design, conduct and critique research.

The MRes includes a research-based dissertation, which may become a pilot study towards a PhD.

For an informal discussion about this course, please contact Dr Jenny Blain by e-mail at j.blain@shu.ac.uk

Short courses/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate
You can take individual modules as short courses or combine them towards a PgDip/PgCert Research Methods in Sociology, Planning and Policy.