Social theory, policy and methods
The School's theoretical strengths in areas such as the ethics of care, and disability and the lifecourse draw much inspiration from the internationally renowned social theories of Emeritus Professor Zygmunt Bauman and his legacy.
In recognition of Bauman's work, and to facilitate continuing scholarship in this field, Mark Davis is leading the School's efforts to establish the Bauman Institute in 2008. Research also continues in the classic tradition, with publications by Austin Harrington on the significance of writers such as Musil, Troeltsch and Weber.
In addition to policy engagement in the other five clusters, a strong strand of policy relevant research in the school concerns welfare state and community developments under New Labour, with scholars like Simon Prideaux, Angharad Beckett, Alan Deacon, Kirk Mann and Nick Ellison critically engaged with policies around communitarianism, citizenship, cycles of deprivation, neighbourhood profiling, and retirement.
In addition to the emancipatory research of CDS, and qualitative innovation in Timescapes and Real Life Methods, Ray Pawson has conducted pioneering methodological work in the area of evaluation and evidence-based policy.
Reflecting our close involvement with contemporary social policy, members of the School have been involved in the evaluation of significant national policy initiatives, including Connexions, Sure Start, New Deal for Communities, Action for Carers and Employment, Leadership in the post-16 Learning and Skills Sector, and Direct Payments for disabled people.
Recent key publications
- Pawson, R.D. (2006) Evidence-based policy: a realist perspective. London: Sage.
- Harrington, A.P. (2004) Art and social theory: sociological arguments in aesthetics. Cambridge: Polity
The Bauman Institute
The Bauman Institute aims to promote sociological research in the areas of theory and methods, and advance critical insight into processes of social and cultural transformation.
The Institute will launch with a conference in September 2010: "Rethinking Global Society."
For more details, please visit The Bauman Institute, or contact Director Mark Davis.