STaCS research
Social, Therapeutic, and Community Studies (STaCS) is a UK leader in the fields of professional development, widening participation, and research innovation.
STaCS draws on research synergies between three inter-related areas: Social Work, Community and Youth Work, and a range of therapeutic disciplines.
These areas draw variously on sociology, social policy, psychosocial studies, politics, community development, cultural studies, death studies, counselling and psychology.
Research and knowledge paradigms are used creatively across and between areas to provide dynamic, change-oriented research.
STaCS also has an internationally leading specialism in contemporary religion and belief in the public sphere. This has pioneered the fast-growing area of religious literacy, emphasising the interface, not between people of different faiths, but between a secular-minded public sphere and a religiously diverse public.
Furthermore, research staff at STaCS are internationally recognised for their work and impact on anti-oppressive practice, as well as thanatology (death studies).
Centres and units
These facilitate collaborations with external stakeholders and host many of the expert areas found in the department.