About our department
Pursuit of academic excellence
We have long been recognised as an outstanding sociology
department both nationally and internationally. Many eminent researchers have
either worked in or been associated with the department, leading the way in the
pursuit of new understanding of the social world. Our spirit of critical enquiry drives
us in the pursuit of academic excellence and ensures we have remained the top
department in the UK for sociology research (RAE 1986-2008).
Deeply committed to our students and teaching
We are a large, diverse and friendly department; learning and teaching is at
the heart of what we do. We have set up a number of initiatives to support and
guide you through your course, including:
Many of these are offered through our dedicated
Student Resource Centre, the only one of its kind in our University. The
latest (2011) National Student Satisfaction score of 95 per cent is testimony to
the dedication we have to our students and teaching.
A vibrant atmosphere
We are at the cutting edge of knowledge about social change at the beginning
of the twenty-first century. Our researchers study an enormous range of topics. Early strengths in equality, stratification,
work and gender have been
extended by newer concerns with globalisation, economic sociology, citizenship
and human rights, the environment, culture, crime and sexuality. As a student or
researcher in our department you will develop new, imaginative approaches to
sociology alongside world-leaders in their field.
A national focus for social and economic research
The University of Essex is the leading university in the UK for social
sciences and the focal point for national funding for social and economic
research. We have close links with our
Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) and
UK Data Archive and you will benefit by having access to the latest research
materials, datasets, archives and resources. Our researchers often work jointly
on research projects with those working in ISER, applying latest sociological
theories to applied research problems using high quality data.