About Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies (STaCS)
In STaCS, we are committed to delivering innovative teaching and research in therapies, social work, youth work and community work.
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We draw on creative methods and forms of practice across these disciplines, and a commitment to social justice, wellbeing and equalities underpins our programmes.
Our staff conduct research that supports this commitment and are leading writers and researchers in the fields of practice that we teach.
We encourage our staff and students to understand, critique and challenge the societies and systems in which they will work as therapists, social workers, youth workers, and community workers.
Learning that will set you up for your career
Many of our programmes are underpinned by experiential learning, group work and reflective practice, with students learning about themselves and each other as part of their journeys towards being professional practitioners in their chosen field.
Our graduates work as social workers, therapists and youth and community workers across London, the UK and internationally.
Our social work provision aims to equip you with the knowledge, values and skill set you need to practise as a reflective and ethical social worker. Our qualifying programmes are approved by Social Work England (SWE).
Our youth and community work programmes are about how to work in community settings in a difficult and complex context. We emphasise the creative arts to engage and intervene in community settings, especially through drama and music.
Within our therapies offer, our professional training fosters the development of skilled and reflective practitioners who are critically engaged with evidence-based and research practices.
Explore our degree programmes.
Research
STaCS is home to a thriving research environment underpinned by the values of interdisciplinarity and social justice.
Our department and its expert staff engage in research across varied areas, inclusive of:
- community work and development
- youth engagement
- social work
- art therapy and dance movement psychotherapy
- domestic abuse and safeguarding
- lived religion
- identity and diversity
- thanatology (death studies)
The department is representative of collaborative, interdisciplinary, practice-led and policy-driven research that impacts both locally and globally.
Read more about our research.
Connected to communities
Our staff and students are connected to a range of community organisations across our disciplines through their research or placements. We have a broad range of networks, including:
- NSPCC
- MIND
- Borough of Bexley
- Borough of Lambeth
- Borough of Southwark
- Bernardos
- St. Christopher Hospice
Our equalities work
Our diverse department and the different backgrounds and experiences within our staff and student bodies make learning exciting and challenging, with students learning from their reflections with each other and from staff across our programmes.
Our Department is home to leaders in various areas of equalities, supporting the development and implementation of institutional policies.
These activities supported developing and submitting the Goldsmiths' Race Equality Charter, our Stonewall submission and are part of our Athena Swan programmes.
Our Department has its own EDI lead that supports our advancement of skills and knowledge in these areas and in relation to research, assessment and teaching.