# Social policy and social work research
**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/spsw/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/study/phd-social-policy-and-social-work/
Furthering social progress through cutting edge research into real world issues.
We are a world class research community well known for its emphasis on theoretically-rich and empirically-grounded research that directly influences policy and practice.
The city of York has a long tradition as a leading voice for social reform. Our vision for the School for Business and Society is to be the stewards of this historical legacy, ensuring York remains recognised internationally as a beacon for social progress.
We analyse complex human and social situations to find solutions to problems. We evaluate current systems and engage our expertise with the latest methods to deliver social change and to improve people's lives.
We welcome [visiting researchers (PDF](https://www.york.ac.uk/media/business-society/external-engagement/Academic Visits Policy.pdf " (opens in a new window)") who wish to collaborate with our research staff.
## Contact us
- [sbs-support@york.ac.uk](mailto:sbs-support@york.ac.uk)
- [+44 (0)1904 32 1231](tel:+441904 32 1231)
- [@spsw](https://x.com/spsw)
## The Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Our social policy and social work research ranked 11th in the UK - according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
[Learn more about the 2021 REF results](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/performance/our-ref-statement/)
## Research strengths
Our vibrant community of academic staff, research staff and PhD students is organised across seven research themes.
Through these themes we lead intellectual debates in the applied social sciences, pushing conceptual, methodological and theoretical dimensions of social policy and social work research. We place a strong emphasis on knowledge exchange and impact, championing applied research that influences policy and practice in the UK and beyond.
### [Applied Criminal Justice](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-policy/applied-criminal-justice/)
### [Applied Health and Social Care](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-policy/applied-health-social-care/)
### [Children, Young People and Families](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-policy/children-young-people-families/)
### [Comparative and Global Social Policy](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-policy/comparative-global-social-policy/)
### [Housing and Environment](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-policy/housing-and-environment/)
### [Mental Health Social Research](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-work/mental-health-social-care-research-centre/)
### [Welfare, Employment and Conditionality](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-policy/welfare-employment-conditionality/)
## Impact and engagement
We believe that achieving impact is fundamental to the integrity of our research.
Through a combination of academic rigour and applied research, our work makes a difference to international, national and local communities by driving evidence-based improvements to policy and practice.
### Highlights
- [Cost of living crisis: fuel poverty](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-policy/cost-living-crisis-fuel-poverty/)
- [COVID-19, families and poverty](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-policy/covid-19-families-poverty/)
- [Welfare reform and larger families](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-policy/welfare-reform-larger-families/)
- [Disability and fuel poverty](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/impact/disability-and-fuel-poverty/)
- [Improving care and treatment for prisoners recovering from drug and alcohol addiction](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/impact/prisoners-recovering-from-addiction/)
- [The Welfare Conditionality Project](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/impact/welfare-conditionality-project/)
The Centre for Housing Policy has a 25 year record of academically excellent and policy-relevant research.
## Centres and networks
We collaborate with our colleagues across the University and beyond to undertake unique research projects, tackling the issues facing today's society.
- Centre for Housing Policy
- [Mental Health Social Care Research Centre](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/social-work/mental-health-social-care-research-centre/)
- [School for Social Care Research](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/sscr/)
- [ESRC Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/vulnerability-policing-futures-research-centre/)
## Major Funded Projects
We are supported by large grants and endowments, ensuring the sustainability of our research activity.
- [The Curiosity Partnership](https://www.curiositypartnership.org.uk/)
- [Martin House Research Centre](https://www.york.ac.uk/healthsciences/research/public-health/projects/martinhouse/)
- [National Institute for Health Research School for Social Care](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/sscr/)
- [Welfare Conditionality: Sanctions, Support and Behaviour Change](http://www.welfareconditionality.ac.uk/)
Publications
Search for research and browse publications in the York Research Database.
[Explore publications](https://pure.york.ac.uk/portal/en/organisations/social-policy-and-social-work(153dc965-8b31-4c37-a3d8-a5314c5d8b63)/publications.html)
Research degrees
Pushing the boundaries of knowledge in our supportive and stimulating environment.
[Study with us](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/study/phd-social-policy-and-social-work/)
Fellowships
Early career researchers at York benefit from a dynamic research culture and excellent facilities.
[Join us as a fellow](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/research/spsw/fellowships/)
People
Find a full list of our research staff alongside their interests and contact details.
[Find an expert](https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/people/)
## Contact us
- [sbs-support@york.ac.uk](mailto:sbs-support@york.ac.uk)
- [+44 (0)1904 32 1231](tel:+441904 32 1231)
- [@spsw](https://x.com/spsw)