School of Social and Political Science

School of Social and Political Science

For as long as we have society, we'll need social scientists.

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Study with us

Across all our programmes, students are encouraged to question the social, political and technological systems and structures that surround us.

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Research

Our researchers are tackling some of the biggest issues facing society today, aiming to understand a world that’s changing more rapidly than ever.

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Subject areas

Our subject areas are the heartbeat of our School, with communities of staff and students working together across the social sciences to explore, challenge and identify how to create better societies.
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Students

Whether you’re a current student or you want to join us, you’ll find all the information you need about studying, academic life, and all our support and services here.

Latest news

News content

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21/09/2026

How our School is building on our strengths in teaching and research

We currently organise our teaching and research through seven Subject Areas, which operate in conjunction with interdisciplinary research centres. To sustain our breadth of coverage and societal contributions into the future, we have taken the decision to reconfigure our Subject Area groupings.
ECPR Onora O’Neill Prize
15/09/2026
Politics and International Relations

SPS Political Theory research recognized: Mihaela Mihai Wins Inaugural Onora O’Neill Prize, Mathias Thaler Shortlisted

The School of Social and Political Science celebrates a double success: Professor Mihaela Mihai wins the prestigious 2026 European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) Onora O’Neill Political Theory Prize, while Professor Mathias Thaler was shortlisted for the same prize.
Kirsten Jenkins SSAC appointment
14/09/2026
Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

Scottish Science Advisory Council appoints Dr Kirsten Jenkins as Member

Dr Kirsten Jenkins has become a Member of the Scottish Science Advisory Council, supporting its vital role in ensuring scientific expertise is central to policy making.
Professor Ben Rosamond
03/09/2026
Politics and International Relations

Professor Ben Rosamond elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

Professor Ben Rosamond has become a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, in the latest cohort of “some of the most influential voices in social science today.”

Upcoming events

Events content

Social Anthropology
23 October 2026
15:00 - 16:30
Social Anthropology

Beyond Transgender: The Social and Political Lives of Gender Nonconforming People in India.

General Event
26 October 2026
13:00 - 14:00
Politics and International Relations

IRRG Seminar: Do Transitional Justice Provisions Transform Secessionist Movements? Evidence from the Philippines' Moro Peace Agreements

IRRG Seminar with Yunus Colak
Becoming Agarwal
28 October 2026
11:00 - 12:30
Sociology

Book Talk: Becoming Agarwal

Becoming Agarwal examines how a dominant mercantile caste reproduces itself as a cohesive and influential elite in contemporary urban India
Image of closed bazaars displaying black flags taken in a spice market in Palestine 1929
29 October 2026
14:30 - 16:30
Politics and International Relations

Britain Owes Palestine and Balfour University: law, history, reparations

Dr. Victor Kattan (University of Nottingham) and Danny Friedman KC will present the ‘Britain Owes Palestine’ petition, which calls on the UK government to recognise Britain’s imperial legacy in Palestine. They will discuss with Dr. Shaira Vadasaria and Dr. Nicola Perugini (University of Edinburgh SPS) how this legacy persists in Edinburgh through university investments and institutional memory.