Department of Sociology
Understanding society, challenging injustice, shaping futures.
Our research
Innovative research addressing contemporary challenges in society.
Our research brings about instrumental changes locally, nationally and globally. We work closely with policymakers, service providers and practitioners to ensure that our research has real-world impact.
At York, we'll enable you to gain all the skills you need to understand and analyse some of the most pressing social problems of our time. You'll be trained in a broad range of sociological, social-psychological, sociolegal and criminological perspectives and research. The work of academic staff and fellow students creates an intellectually and personally supportive learning environment that will form the basis of your future success.
Professor Nik Brown, Head of Department
News
York is ranked 10th in the UK for Criminology in the latest release of the Guardian University Guide (2026).
Professor Penfold-Mounce has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship for her outstanding contribution to teaching excellence in higher education in the UK.
York is ranked =2nd in the Russell Group for 'Learning opportunities' among universities included for 'Sociology' in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS).
On the 18th June, the Department of Sociology celebrated it's 60th anniversary with a full day of showcasing the contributions to Sociology with various talks from past and present staff.
Events
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A presentation and discussion of Billy Holzberg’s monograph ''Affective Bordering: Race, Deservingness and the Emotional Politics of Migration Control''.
Are you a parent or carer of a child aged 5 or under? What do you know about parental leave in the UK and how can it be improved?
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