Research clusters

The Department of Sociology, Social Policy, and Criminology's research clusters provide focal points for collaboration in different areas of sociological, social, and criminological research. Through them our academic researchers can share ideas, develop projects, gain peer support, access broader networks, and organise seminars and conferences.

Staff members and PhD students can belong to multiple clusters, as can collaborators from across the University and beyond.

Clusters provide the framework for delivering postgraduate research supervision and support, with students fully integrated into projects.

Centre for Ageing and the Life Course Centre for Ageing and the Life Course logo

Centre for Ageing and the Life Course (CALC)

CALC fosters research in critical and cultural ageing studies, exploring the underpinning factors shaping inequalities in ageing, as well as the subjective meaning and lived experience of health and well-being in later life.

Criminal Justice Unit People walking on the pavement.

Criminal Justice Unit (CJU)

The Criminal Justice Unit brings together leading scholars across law, sociology, social policy, and criminology to advance research on criminal justice processes, law, and policy, as well as fostering cross-department collaboration.

International Criminological Research Unit CCTV cameras

International Criminological Research Unit (ICRU)

ICRU is committed to advancing theoretically-informed, empirically-rigorous, and policy-relevant research in criminology and criminal justice that resonates on a local through to international scale.

Liverpool Sociological Research Cluster A line of hands on a wooden table

Liverpool Sociological Research Cluster (LSRC)

LSRC serves as a vibrant intellectual hub for sociologists. Members explore a diverse array of topics, including AI and online life, contemporary state structures, racial capitalism, knowledge production dynamics, climate emergency responses, medical artefacts, social class dynamics, cultural industries, and architecture.

The Decolonial Critique Books on a shelf held up by bookends.

The Decolonial Critique

A global network of more than 2,000 scholars, students, and activists who have an interest in theoretical and applied approaches to coloniality/decoloniality.

Law and Society Unit Data on a laptop screen

Technology, Law and Society Unit

The Technology, Law and Society Unit conducts interdisciplinary research into the impact of technology on society, economy, and human interactions.