About the department
Our academic staff have backgrounds in sociology, economics, anthropology, psychology and demography, as well as social policy. We have diverse methodological expertise, from ethnography to advanced quantitative work. This mix of disciplines and methods gives us a unique capacity to generate new insights on social problems and to provide innovative taught programmes.
Research
Research is a major focus of the Institute with an annual research income of over £15 million. Our research work is organised within seven renowned centres.
Courses
We offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes specialising in a range of social and social policy issues and social research methods.
People
Our staff includes psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists and economists. We have specialist, research-active staff able to supervise postgraduate research.
Centres in the department
Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS)
A world-leading centre for research, scientific development and operational management of a unique series of nationally representative UK longitudinal studies.
Centre for Time Use Research (CTUR)
We work with time use data to investigate issues of social life, paid work patterns, work-life balance, family, gender, and socio-economic structure.
Cohort and Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources (CLOSER)
CLOSER, the home of longitudinal research, is the interdisciplinary partnership of leading social and biomedical longitudinal population studies.
Evidence for Policy & Practice Information Centre (EPPI Centre)
Better evidence for better decision-making: robust and responsive reviews informing policy and practice.
Quantitative Social Science (QSS)
QSS is a group of economists, sociologists, data scientists and social policy researchers within the UCL Social Research Institute.
Social Science Research Unit (SSRU)
Promoting evidence-informed policy and practice in education, health and welfare through ethical and participative social research.
Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU)
Leaders of research for children, families and social change since 1973.
News
IOE academics appointed to REF Expert Panels
Six academics from the UCL Institute of Education have been appointed to REF Expert Panels, as announced by Research England today.
04 Nov 2025
Black History Month at IOE, 2025
1 October marks the start of Black History Month in the UK. Discover how the UCL Institute of Education is marking this year's theme of “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”.
10 Oct 2025
Embedding financial support into early years care to tackle child poverty
The Healthier Wealthier Families in East London project is recruiting families to explore if linking financial advice with health visits improves parents’ health, wellbeing, and financial stability.
16 Sep 2025
What's on
View all department events12 Nov
hybrid
Born in smog: The short- and long-run health consequences of acute air pollution exposure13:00 - 14:00
13 Nov
in person
Reflections from the co-produced UK Migration and Maternal Health (MAMAH) Study12:00 - 13:00
19 Nov
hybrid
Schools and learning inequalities: A theoretical model of quantitative and qualitative school effect13:00 - 14:00
Got questions? Get in touch.
UCL Social Research Institute, 55-59 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0NU
