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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
3rd for Sociology Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
4th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2027
4th in the UK for research impact in REF 2021
Athena Swan Silver Award in Gender Equality

  

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?

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How to reduce harmful sexual behaviour and protect your kids and their peers

What do we know about young people whose sexual behaviour harms others? And how can we keep them and those around them safe? Together with colleagues in Australia, Emeritus Professor Simon Hackett, of our Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse and our Department of Sociology, examines this issue.

Global research
The back of a young boy walking into a modern school wearing a backpack.

UK politicians don’t want to talk about sportswashing

Dr Stephen Crossley from our Department of Sociology explores why UK politicians appear so reluctant to talk about sportswashing.
Research news
A sports crowd wearing red T-shirts cheering with arms in the air.

Ruth First Wing named in honour of anti-apartheid activist and former Sociology lecturer

Part of the new home for our Department of Sociology has been named in honour of anti-apartheid activist, writer, journalist and lecturer Ruth First.
Durham news
A group of about 20 people stand on either side of a sign that reads Ruth First Wing.

New toolkit supports professionals working with neurodivergent men who commit domestic abuse

A new toolkit to support professionals working with neurodivergent men who commit domestic abuse has been launched by our Department of Sociology’s Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (CRiVA).
Research news
A graphic showing a number of figures in light and dark blue silhouette.

Durham researchers win major European award for social work study

Researchers from our Sociology Department have received a prestigious European award for their work on child-to-parent violence, highlighting the real experiences of families and the need for better support.
Global research
Nikki Rutter

Spotlight on: Professor Carlene Firmin MBE – pioneering a new approach to protecting children and young people

Our Spotlight On series celebrates our world-leading academics. Applied social researcher Professor Carlene Firmin MBE has pioneered a radical shift in how we protect young people from harm.
Research news
Carlene Firmin

Overseas-qualified workers could address England’s social worker shortage, research suggests

The severe shortage of social workers in England could be addressed by employing overseas-qualified social workers living in the UK, according to new research.
Global research
An paper cut out of an intergeneration family holding hands, sitting in the palms of a person's hands.
More news

Dr Daniel P. Jones to imagine new futures for Tourette Syndrome

Dr Daniel P. Jones from our Institute for Medical Humanities and Department of Sociology has been awarded a prestigious Wellcome Early-Career Award to transform understandings of Tourette Syndrome.

Daniel Jones headshot

UK politicians don’t want to talk about sportswashing

Dr Stephen Crossley from our Department of Sociology explores why UK politicians appear so reluctant to talk about sportswashing.
A sports crowd wearing red T-shirts cheering with arms in the air.

Dr Veronica Heney to shed new light on self-harm and culture

Dr Veronica Heney from our Institute for Medical Humanities and Department of Sociology has been awarded a Wellcome Early Career Award to re-configure understandings of self-harm.
Veronica Heney headshot

Student updates

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

Highlights

Studying for an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Jagraj Singh gives us an insight into studying for an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice in the Department of Sociology
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A day in the life of a criminology student

Olivia Gough gives us an insight into a day in the life as a Criminology student
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
Mill Hill Lane
Durham
DH1 3LB

+44 (0)191 33 41400

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

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