The Department of Geography and Sociology at Strathclyde University has a strong and growing reputation for its research. Most of our research has a global sociological and geographical perspective and we ensure that strong links are fostered between our research and our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Since its creation in 2003, the University has invested heavily in the Department with the specific aim of raising and supporting its research and scholarly activity and profile. The Department has a number of key areas of research expertise which are listed below. The creation of the Department brings together complementary interests in society, space and culture and we are actively seeking to maximise the benefits of the interdisciplinary opportunities this offers. Our work spans the increasingly permeable boundaries of social/cultural geography and sociology. Our interests and expertise are fostered in part by a number of research groupings within the Department. These groupings do not encompass all of our efforts but recognise key areas of strength.
Public Interest Research
The Department has a strong orientation towards public interest research. This relates both to debates about 'Public Sociology' and about 'public', 'participatory' and 'critical' Geography. We take the University motto of 'useful knowledge' seriously and are encouraging a strong ethos of public engagement with policy, political, public and media issues. The Public Interest Research Network is convened from the Department and staff are involved in a wide range of organisations which seek to bridge the gap between the University and the rest of society.
Globalisation, Neoliberalism and Sustainability
The department has a strong orientation towards research on globalisation and neoliberalism which encompasses work in a number of areas including global governance, sustainability, human ecology and corporate power. An important strand of this work is our focus on 'neoliberal Scotland', a project which included our international conference in May 2006 and is ongoing. A new initiative which is key to our development is a focus on the global ethic and Scotland's global sense of place. Read more...
Migration, ethnicity, racism and diaspora
The Department has a very strong collective interest in issues associated with migration, 'race' and ethnicity. This includes work that examines ethnic cleansing and genocide, the protection of and abuses of human rights, diasporic and national identities, 'race' and ethnicity, migration and refugee studies, multiculturalism and citizenship, racism and social exclusion and sectarianism in Scotland and Ireland.
Communication and Power
Work on communication, media and journalism is an emerging focus of research in the department. This includes work on communicative power in relation to propaganda, public relations and promotional and consumer culture and on science communication. It also includes work on representation and the political economy of the media and journalism. We are developing this research agenda with departments such as English and with other partners such as the Glasgow Media Group and the Institute for Local Television . The department has a strong association with Spinwatch, which publishes public interest research on propaganda and corporate spin. Read more...