Psychosocial Studies and Sociology research

Researchers at Birkbeck are defining and shaping the field of psychosocial studies, investigating issues of social, political and personal concern such as violence and conflict, diasporic experience, and care and welfare. Our unique approach to sociology foregrounds the psychological investments that help to sustain structures of power and domination such as gender, class and racism.

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Study for an MPhil/PhD

Congratulations: outstanding REF2021 result

An overall score of 3.03 plus increases in outputs and impact since REF2014 secured us a national ranking of 22.

Research centres and networks

Birkbeck Gender and Sexuality (BiGS)

BiGS is a forum for innovative interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange in gender and sexuality studies.

Birkbeck Institute for Social Research

The BISR is the focal point for social research at Birkbeck, and a hub for the dissemination and discussion of social research in London and beyond.

Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities

The BIH was established to stimulate research, public debate and collaboration among academics and intellectuals on important public issues of our time.

Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image

BIMI pursues a public engagement agenda that combines film curating with top-quality academic research and creative interaction with the artistic and cultural community.

Centre for Researching and Embedding Human Rights

An interdisciplinary initiative driven by a psychosocial orientation to human rights principles and practice, working towards acknowledgement, reparation and peace.

Centre for Social Change and Transformation in Higher Education

Our Centre highlights existing research in higher education, generates collaboration between those working on related issues, and facilitates research.

Decolonizing Sexualities Network

A transnational collective bringing together academics, activists and artivists for whom colonialism, coloniality and decolonization are central to the analytics, politics, experiences, and movements of gender and sexuality.

Mapping Maternal Subjectivities, Identities and Ethics (MaMSIE)

Our network creates spaces for interdisciplinary conversations about motherhood and the maternal more broadly.

Studies in the Maternal

Studies in the Maternal is an online journal providing a forum for contemporary critical debates on the many aspects of the concept of maternity.

Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism

Our research and teaching contribute to discussion and public policy on antisemitism and intolerance, vital to understanding all forms of racism, prejudice and xenophobia.

Race Forum

We offer a public space for multidisciplinary discussions about the idea of 'race', racism, multiculture and postcoloniality.

Brazil links

We are proud of our link with the University of São Paulo, which has brought many students and researchers to work with us.

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Research projects

Data Worlds and Futures: Archives, Bioinformation and Evidence

This Wellcome Trust Small Research Grant-funded explores the relation between bioinformation, infrastructures and evidence in relation to forensic archival practices and data processing.

Synchronic entanglements and new social imaginaries

The project’s aim was to investigate the practices and modes of association of activists in Brazil and in the UK, while putting emotions and synchronicity at the centre of social process.

Waiting Times

Funded by the Wellcome Trust, this project opens up what it means to wait in and for healthcare by examining lived experiences, representations and histories of delayed and impeded time.

Project Stigma

A collaborative interdisciplinary project focused on providing new understandings of stigma as an embodied, affective and bio-technologically mediated phenomenon.

Witnessing, testimony and the culture of ‘trauma’

This project is concerned with social justice, racism, and antisemitism as they are engaged with, and reflect upon, psychoanalysis.

Psychosocial Histories of Brazilian Psychoanalysis

This project investigates the development and nature of psychoanalysis in Brazil, focusing especially on the period of the Brazilian dictatorship from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Communist Ghosts

This project looks at situations in which fragments of communist life, such as communist buildings, identities, or narratives, disturb routines and common practices of everyday life in post-1989 Europe.

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Publications

Our researchers are active writers publishing and editing in a range of journals and other outlets.

Research impact

We excel in research that has a high impact on policy and practice in the real world.

Become an MPhil/PhD student

Find out more about undertaking an MPhil/PhD in psychosocial studies.

Research Office support for Birkbeck staff

Find out how we support academic researchers.