Social Science Research Unit (SSRU)

Our centre

Founding Director: Professor Ann Oakley
Director: Professor Mukdarut Bangpan

Founded in 1990, the Social Science Research Unit (SSRU) conducts ethical, collaborative, participatory and rigorous research that examines how power, care, social institutions, and policy shape people’s lives across the life-course and in diverse social, political, cultural, and structural contexts. Through collaboration, scholarship, and engagement, SSRU seeks to advance social research that contributes to more inclusive, evidence-informed public policy and practice.

We continue to achieve this by:

• Conducting research, scholarship, and knowledge exchange of national and international significance.
• Driving methodological innovation to shape the future of social research.
• Delivering high-quality, research-informed learning, teaching, and consultancy services.

Research cluster leads

• Rosa Mendizabal-Espinosa: Childhood studies, children’s rights and social justice
• Karen Schucan Bird and Meena Khatwa: Social Institutions, social policy, inequality and inclusion
• Alison O’Mara-Eves: Evidence-informed for policy and practice

On the IOE Blog

• Palestinian Childhoods: Solidarity & Ṣumūd at UCL East
• Bridging research and policy: the role of science-policy organisations in evidence-informed policymaking
• World Prematurity Day: an opportunity to rethink childhood, children’s rights and wellbeing beyond survival
• Applying a political economy lens to evidence-informed policymaking
• How do we make sure the most disadvantaged children get a good education during public health emergencies?
• In memory: Professor Berry Mayall (1936–2021)
• We Are Movers: new ways of collaborating with women migrants and refugees

Image at the top: Drobot Dean via Adobe Stock.