Our research culture
Advancing social science scholarship to help tackle some of the most important social, ethical and political issues of our time
Serving society
Research in the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy is closely related to public services and institutions, as well as to business and industry. Our dynamic research culture contributes to our success as a leading centre for research excellence; it underpins our teaching, informs our strategic planning and continues King’s long-standing commitment to serve society.Our academic staff advise governments, serve on commissions and public bodies and are seconded to national and international organisations. Through their work with the public, private and voluntary sectors, our Faculty's expertise is made available to the wider community.
Examples of how our research is having an impact on the wider world includes:
Analysis by Professor Andy Sumner that revealed most global poverty is now in middle-income countries, and there is no strongly compelling case for assuming poverty in middle-income countries will easily disappear as countries become ‘better off’. This is an important finding given the UN Sustainable Development Goal to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere.”
Professor Kerry Brown and Dr Ramon Pacheco Pardo have improved greater understanding of China and Korea. As Asia establishes itself as a new political and economic powerbase, their work has helped to break down barriers and allowed governments in both East and West to gain invaluable insight and perspective as nations seek to deepen ties with new partners.
The UK in a Changing Europe research centre has played a critical role in enhancing political decision-making and public debate on leaving the EU, before, during and after the 2016 referendum in Britain and subsequent negotiations. It is continuing to have an impact through helping us understand what lies beyond Brexit for the UK and the world.
Our diverse research areas span: urban sustainability; climate change; security uncertainties and risks; the changing nature of war and conflict; age and ageing; social care and children’s well-being; health and medicine from a social science perspective; scientific literacy; cultural inclusion; social cohesion in multi-faith societies; inequalities in health and education; public service reform and the future of the professions.
Our expert academics (including economists, historians, philosophers, political scientists and sociologists) collaborate across the Faculty, beyond disciplinary boundaries.
Outreach & engagement
The Policy Institute at King's provides further opportunities for external collaboration, outreach, and engagement. The Policy Institute at King's works to bridge the gap between academic research and public policy. It provides funding for researchers to engage directly with policymakers and to participate in policy debates.
We attract funding from a variety of sources including the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)and the Natural and Environmental Research Council (NERC), as well as charitable and other organisations such as the Nuffield Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, the British Academy, The Leverhulme Trust and many more.