Social Research

The Unit of Social Research is the largest unit in the Faculty of Social Sciences (SOC). Its key research themes are the transformation of social governance, social and societal processes and risks, and the challenges of well-being and sustainable development. The Unit hosts seven fields of study: criminology and criminal policy, gender studies, social anthropology, social policy, social psychology, sociology as well as youth work and youth research. The Unit also has four research centres: Tampere Centre for Childhood, Youth and Family Research (PERLA), Tampere Centre for Knowledge, Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (TaSTI), Tampere Peace Research Institute (TAPRI), and Work Research Centre (WRC).

The Unit offers education on the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The Unit has a joint, comprehensive Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Social Science. Master’s degree education is given in the fields of study mentioned above. Finnish-language master’s degree programmes that are separate from the fields of study are the Master's Degree Programme in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare and Master's Degree Programme in Work, Welfare and Well-being. In addition, the Unit has four English-language degree programmes: Comparative Social Policy and Welfare, Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research, Public Policy Analysis, and Sustainable Urban Development. Doctoral education takes place under the umbrella of the Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences which includes gender studies, peace and conflict research, social anthropology, social policy, social psychology, sociology, social work, and youth research.

Teaching and research overlap at all levels of education; teaching is research-based, and all teachers are active researchers. The Unit is a highly appreciated and attractive workplace with an excellent collegial spirit.