Research in the School for Business and Society

Interdisciplinary research addressing the most important challenges in policy, business and society.

We are a leading voice for innovative, effective and responsible business and social reform in service of the public good.

Our expertise includes business and environmental sustainability, food security, inclusive economic growth, decent work, labour market inequalities, social care, mental health, and public accountability.

We have extensive experience working with businesses, governmental bodies, public and third sector organisations to generate meaningful social change. Co-production and public engagement underpin our research ethos, including the expert knowledge of those with lived experience.

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Excellence in social policy and social work

Our social policy and social work research ranked 11th in the UK - according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).

Leading management research

According to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021), our management research is a UK top 30 research discipline.

Research areas: Interdisciplinary thought leadership

Our unique School brings new dimensions to interdisciplinarity in the fields of business, management and public and social policy. It encompasses disciplinary excellence that ranges from actuarial science to business history, from operations analysis to social work, from housing policy to social marketing.

The diversity and rigour of our research is reflected in seven core groups that underpin the interdisciplinary vision of the School.

Accounting, finance and actuarial science

People, work and employment

Management and organisation studies

Marketing, international business and entrepreneurship

Social policy

Social work

Operations, strategy and governance

Delivering real-world impact

We work together across the University and with partners and stakeholders locally, nationally and internationally to achieve economic and social change and advance social justice.

We are host to the NIHR School for Social Care Research, a £31m initiative to improve social care research in England. We also host the connected NIHR Three Schools Dementia Research Programme, a further £9m investment to address gaps in dementia research and improve the lives of those living with dementia.

We lead the ESRC Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre, a five-year £10m programme of cutting edge research. We are also home to Fix Our Food, a £6m UKRI funded initiative to transform food systems across the UK towards being ‘regenerative'. Additionally, the School is an institutional partner of Responsible Research in Business and Management to advance and promote responsible research in business and management for a better world.

Learn more about our impactful research

Centres and partnerships

two policemen alongside people in Trafalgar Square

young researchers at York, image taken from directly above.

Early Career network

We support early-career academics to establish a research identity, achieve their career potential and sustain their wellbeing through our friendly community forum.

Find out more about the Early Career network

Our experts

Explore our diverse range of expertise.

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Research degrees

Push the boundaries of knowledge in our supportive and stimulating environment.

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Events

We welcome everyone to join us at our events.

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