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Department of Sociology

In our rapidly changing global environment, there has never been a more important time to look at the world through a social lens and engage in theoretically driven research and teaching that makes a difference.
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Welcome to the Department of Sociology at Durham

Our Department members, postgraduate researchers, and students collectively develop ‘sociological imagination’ and apply it to contemporary processes and issues. These include social inequality and its implications for social mobility, education and health; violence, abuse, and the role of help-seeking and state responses.
Find out more about us
1st for Criminology Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Joint 18th in the UK
Joint 18th in the UK QS World University Subject Rankings 2023
4th in the UK
4th in the UK for research impact in REF 2021
A Sociological Community cutting edge, socially conscious research in a friendly community of staff and students

  

Study with us

  • Undergraduate study

    Find out more about our undergraduate degrees in Sociology, Criminology and Joint Honours in Sociology and Anthropology.

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  • Postgraduate study

    Explore our postgraduate study options in Sociology, Criminology, Social Research Methods and Social Work.

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Undergraduate study

Find out more about our undergraduate degrees in Sociology, Criminology and Joint Honours in Sociology and Anthropology.

Students reading and discussing a book with their tutor

Postgraduate study

Explore our postgraduate study options in Sociology, Criminology, Social Research Methods and Social Work.

Someone having a coffee break

Our research

We work in collaborative and participative ways with communities, both within and external to the university, locally, nationally and internationally to effect social justice and social change.

Underpinning our work is a concern to understand the similarities and differences arising from people’s intersecting identities, especially of gender, sexuality, ‘race’, social class, faith and age.
Research areas
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Find out more about our Department

What's new?

Filter:

Mitigating the impact of air pollution on dementia and brain health: Setting the policy agenda

Professor Brian Castellani from our Department of Sociology is the Director of InSPIRE, a research consortium focused on the links between air pollution and brain health. Here, together with InSPIRE colleagues Dr Suzanne Bartington (Birmingham University) and Professor Stefan Reis (UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology), Brian discusses why air quality strategies should include benefits on brain health.

Research news
Image showing people crossing a busy city street

Encouraging writers to present an accurate view of self-harm

We’ve created new resources designed to help writers present an accurate view of people at risk of self-harm.
Research news
A couple holding hands in a comforting way
More news

  • Daniel Khalife: escapes are just one symptom of a failing prison system

    John Podmore, an Honorary Professor in our Department of Sociology, discusses how the escape of Daniel Kahlife from HMP Wandsworth is just one symptom of a failing prison system.
    Research news
    Image showing barbed wire fence

  • What links a mug, a face mask, Ibuprofen, and toothpaste?

    Well, those who came along to the Health & Social Theory research group “Showcase” on Wednesday 21st June found out just that!
    Research news
    Toothpaste facemask ibuprofen

  • With Pride: LGBTQ+ Lives, Rights, and Inclusion

    June is Pride Month, in which we celebrate LGBTQ+ communities globally. Through marches, events, and activities, we recognise the contributions of LGBTQ+ people to society and advocate for their equality, inclusion, and rights. In this article, we highlight the Sociology Department’s ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ communities in our research, teaching, and community life.
    Research news
    Rainbow striped flag

Daniel Khalife: escapes are just one symptom of a failing prison system

John Podmore, an Honorary Professor in our Department of Sociology, discusses how the escape of Daniel Kahlife from HMP Wandsworth is just one symptom of a failing prison system.

Image showing barbed wire fence

What links a mug, a face mask, Ibuprofen, and toothpaste?

Well, those who came along to the Health & Social Theory research group “Showcase” on Wednesday 21st June found out just that!
Toothpaste facemask ibuprofen

With Pride: LGBTQ+ Lives, Rights, and Inclusion

June is Pride Month, in which we celebrate LGBTQ+ communities globally. Through marches, events, and activities, we recognise the contributions of LGBTQ+ people to society and advocate for their equality, inclusion, and rights. In this article, we highlight the Sociology Department’s ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ communities in our research, teaching, and community life.
Rainbow striped flag

Student updates

Find out what our students get up to at Durham University.

Highlights

A day in the life of a Sociology student

Second-year Sociology student, Jess tell us about her day-to-day life at Durham.
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Meet my Durham College Family

Combined Honours and Sociology student, Samantha introduces us to life at Hatfield College.
Exterior shot outside the entrance to Hatfield College

Get in touch

To find out more about our undergraduate and postgraduate options, please contact us using one of the buttons below.

Department of Sociology

Durham University
32 Old Elvet
Durham
DH1 3HN

+44 (0)191 33 41400

Questions about studying here?

Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.

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