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.
Download the SRI 2025 Impact Report
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)
Pioneering social science through ethical, collaborative and participatory social research.
Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU)
Leaders of research for children, families and social change since 1973.
UCL Centre for Capitalism Studies
The UCL Centre for Capitalism Studies is a world-leading centre for critical interdisciplinary research into the past, present, and future of capitalism.
News
Historic partnership with Gaza’s three non-profit universities
UCL Institute of Education (IOE) announces Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the three non-profit universities in Gaza: Al-Aqsa University, Al Azhar University, and the Islamic University of Gaza.
15 Jun 2026
TCRU researchers to contribute to key areas of social policy at summer conferences
This summer, TCRU will share research on care, family, gender, migration and LGBTQ+ lives at conferences and workshops in the UK and internationally.
12 Jun 2026
New education economics research centre to inform Department for Education policy decisions
Professor Lindsey Macmillan will lead the Economics of Education Research Centre (EERC), funded by almost £3 million from the Department for Education (DfE).
22 May 2026
What's on
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Got questions? Get in touch.
UCL Social Research Institute, 55-59 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0NU
