Faculty of Social Sciences news

Faculty of Social Sciences

New campaign shares letters to loved ones lost to alcohol and drugs

‘Everyone knows someone’ is the message behind See Beyond - See the Lives - Scotland, a new campaign from academics and advocacy organisations that aims to reduce the stigma that surrounds deaths due to alcohol and drugs.

People sitting holding photographs

We can learn from Scotland’s witch hunts to shape justice today, says criminology expert

We can learn valuable lessons from campaigns that highlight the injustices of Scotland’s witch hunts, says a criminology expert from the University of Stirling.

ancient street in Edinburgh

Primary school children spend less time outdoors, University study finds

Primary school children spend less time playing and learning outdoors, University study finds.

Young children learning in woodlands. Credit Lorne Gill, NatureScot

International research to tackle exclusion and inequalities faced by people living with dementia

An international project led by the University of Stirling is to investigate how people living with dementia can be better included in decisions taken in their communities.

older people and younger person talking

University of Stirling expert in substance use and inclusion health recognised by Academy of Social Sciences

One of the country’s leading experts in substance use and inclusion health, Professor Tessa Parkes, has been made a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Aerial photo of the campus

Social science researchers at the University of Stirling will “hit the ground running” after major £1.25m funding boost

The University of Stirling has received a major funding boost that will have a major impact on social sciences research.

A student and researcher sitting at computer

University of Stirling experts are behind call for improvements to policing technologies

A group of University of Stirling experts in criminology, sociology, law and management is behind a call for improvements to policing technologies in Scotland.

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University of Stirling ageing experts share pioneering work with Scotland Office minister

Experts in ageing, dementia and housing at the University of Stirling shared their pioneering research and ambitious plans with UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord during a visit to campus today.

Visitors including Lord Offord outside dementia centre

Reduced subject choice under Curriculum for Excellence is affecting opportunities and outcomes for Scotland’s young people, research finds

Curriculum narrowing and a reduced choice of school subjects under the Curriculum for Excellence are affecting outcomes for Scotland’s young people, according to a new study from the University of Stirling.

University of Stirling campus

New research finds care home culture vital to boosting physical activity among older people

Physical activity needs to be embedded into the culture of care homes in Scotland, according to new research by the University of Stirling.

Care home residents exercising

MSPs learn of “frontline research” in dementia on visit to University of Stirling

Two Scottish MSPs with interests in housing, equality and older people have visited the University of Stirling to learn about its advances in improving the lives of people living with dementia.

Visitors including MSPs outside the dementia centre

Cancer greater cause for concern than COVID for over 50s

A multi-disciplinary team of researchers at the University of Stirling found chronic health conditions are a greater cause for concern than COVID-19 and that older people feel safer from catching COVID-19 in healthcare settings than in other places in the community.

Older person wears a mask and is gazing out of a window

Heatwaves to impact almost every child on earth by 2050: UNICEF report

New research from UNICEF, supported by experts at the University of Stirling, has estimated that by 2050, every child in the world is expected to be exposed to worsening heatwaves.

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Low-tech gadgets have biggest impact for older people, research finds

New research undertaken by housing and ageing experts at the University of Stirling has found that introducing low tech gadgets to retirement living schemes has a major impact on health and well-being.

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Forth Valley set to benefit from landmark new health partnership

An ambitious landmark partnership between the University of Stirling, Forth Valley College and NHS Forth Valley has launched today – with the mission to improve patient care and treatments, and boost health research and staff learning across the region.

Forth Valley Health Partnership launch

Pioneering tool to support design of dementia friendly spaces

Experts from the University of Stirling have created a new tool to support families, businesses and professionals to make homes, premises and public places more accessible to an ageing population and those living with dementia.

A computer generated image of a dementia friendly street. A cafe is pictured on the left hand side, with a bench, grass border, cycle lane and street lamps to the right hand side.

Tech project succeeds in connecting care home residents during pandemic

A pioneering project introducing iPads to care homes during the pandemic had a significant impact on social isolation, according to experts at the University of Stirling.

Healthcare worker with senior woman using digital tablet at care home

£2m research to study impact of place and stigma on older disabled adults

New research exploring the impact of stigma on fuelling inequalities experienced by UK disabled adults in later life has secured funding of £2m.

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Major report sets out recommendations for living well with dementia

A major forum into housing and dementia, co-chaired by a University of Stirling academic, has published a series of recommendations on living well with the condition.

Politicians and experts stand outside building holding-up living with dementia report

Dementia student honoured at the Palace of Westminster

An MSc Dementia Studies student, who balanced his studies with a full-time job as a care home manager while also raising thousands of pounds for charity, has been recognised with a prestigious award.

Nicolas Kee Mew stands in front of the River Thames, London holding his medal

New report reveals strength of holistic welfare service model for supporting veterans in Glasgow

A new report has been published examining the Social Return on Investment (SROI) generated by Glasgow’s Helping Heroes (GHH) a partnership between SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and Glasgow City Council.

Military personnel standing in George Square Glasgow

Substance use experts tackle health inequalities among people released from prison

New research is set to explore how health services can better support people released from prison in a bid to reduce the numbers dying from substance use, overdose, and suicide.

Close up of a stethoscope and digital tablet with virtual electronic medical record of patient on interface.

‘Essay Mills’ Pose Serious Risk to Scottish Universities

Vulnerable students are turning to online ‘essay mills’ to purchase written work that they then pass off as their own, threatening academic integrity and exploitation, a new study has found.

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University of Stirling to lead third research network hub in British Academy pilot

The British Academy has announced that the third and final hub of its Early-Career Researcher (ECR) Network – a two-year pilot programme for UK-based postdoctoral researchers in the humanities and social sciences – will be in Scotland.

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Study reveals few infants taken into care in Scotland are placed with brothers and sister

Only one in five infants taken into care in Scotland who had older brothers or sisters were initially placed with them, according to a new study funded by Scottish Government which has been published today.

Baby hand holds finger

The Scottish Pharmacy Alliance convenes to reduce drug deaths

Former Chair of the Drug Deaths Taskforce for Scotland Professor Catriona Matheson, University of Stirling and Managing Director of Pharmacy in Practice Johnathan Laird have partnered to convene the inaugural Scottish Pharmacy Alliance meeting to reduce drug-related harms and deaths in Scotland.

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Stirling social worker launches network to support Ukrainian colleagues

A University of Stirling social worker has launched an international network to support social and community workers impacted by the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine flag

Stirling academic’s expertise helps form major new human trafficking guidelines

New guidance aiming to tackle and prevent human trafficking has been published by the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe), supported by the expertise of a University of Stirling social work lecturer.

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Stirling social scientists honoured by Academy

Two University of Stirling staff members have been announced as Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.

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Academics launch review of digital tech programme tackling social isolation in care homes

A team of academics from the University of Stirling has been funded to study the success of a pioneering digital inclusion programme rolled out in care homes during the pandemic

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New project to examine how primary educators access research to inform teaching

A new major project to examine how primary teachers access and engage with literacy research to inform teaching is underway.

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Stirling housing expert leads major report on veterans’ homelessness

The findings of a new report – led by a University of Stirling expert on behalf of the Veterans’ Scotland Housing Group – will help tackle homelessness among former armed forces personnel.

Army boots close up in line on parade day

Research will be first to study LGBT+ experience of welfare system

In a world first, a major new research project is being launched to examine the experiences of LGBT+ people when accessing the benefits system in the UK.

UK coins spread across a table

New research hub to tackle ageing population challenges

A new multi-million-pound intergenerational research centre at the University of Stirling will provide pioneering solutions to the challenges posed by an ageing global population.

A group of older adults enjoying a work at the beach.

Stirling research to transform record keeping in children’s homes

Researchers at the University of Stirling are set to transform record keeping in children’s homes after securing funding for a ground-breaking project.

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ESRC awards £8.26m to new social care research centre

Experts from the University of Stirling are to play a leading role in a new ESRC research centre, which will tackle critical social and economic issues – from evolving policing, to social care and intergenerational inequality.

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‘Stark’ figures reveal lack of diversity in Scottish history lessons

A new survey of Scottish teachers, released to coincide with Black History Month, has revealed only a minority of secondary schools feature Black history in lessons.

Stock photos of a classroom. A teacher stands in front of a whiteboard with students sitting at desks facing them.

Stirling appoints new Dean to its Faculty of Social Sciences

The University of Stirling has appointed Professor Derek McGhee as Dean of its Faculty of Social Sciences.

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King and Queen of Sweden visit the University of Stirling’s dementia centre

The King and Queen of Sweden paid a royal visit to the University of Stirling today (Monday 4 October) to learn about its world-leading dementia research.

Swedish Royal visit in garden

University showcases research tackling loneliness to MSP

A local MSP has heard how experts at the University of Stirling are tackling the issue of social isolation and loneliness through technology.

Hand holds up a deck of cards in a fan shape to camera

Researchers to explore effectiveness of support for trafficked children

The University of Stirling is launching a new research project to investigate the impact of support services on the recovery of children and young people trafficked in to the UK.

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Climate change risk tool to recognise impact on children for the first time

Researchers working with UNICEF have created the Climate Change Vulnerability Index to assess the impact of climate change on children for the first time.

Child Playing on Dry Parched Desert Land stock photo

Could drug checking help prevent harms in Scotland?

A team of experts working in partnership with the University of Stirling is exploring how drug checking services could be developed for Scotland in order to reduce harms.

Pill packets

The risks and trade-offs of renting from a private landlord

People living in the private rented sector are forced to make hard choices in order to meet their basic needs, new research had revealed.

Rental agreement form with signing hand and pen.

Senior professor receives prestigious award for ageing research

A University of Stirling senior academic has been bestowed an Outstanding Achievement Award by her peers in recognition of her significant and lasting contribution to the understanding of ageing.

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New National Housing and Dementia Forum for Scotland

The University of Stirling and Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) have welcomed the establishment of a National Housing and Dementia Forum by the Scottish Government, as a way to ensure that every person with dementia gets the support they need.

Holding hands

Opioids research finds overdose risk factors

New research from the University of Stirling has identified potential major risk factors leading to overdose in patients taking prescription medication.

Bottle of prescription drugs with white pills falling out of it

Benefits of bridge on mental health focus of international conference

More than 400 delegates from across the world are gathering next week to discuss the benefits of bridge on mental health and wellbeing.

Playing cards spread out on a green felt background

Mother and daughter celebrate graduating from University together

A mother and daughter are celebrating after graduating together from the University of Stirling.

Vicki and Hannah Lawlor wear university graduations gowns and pose next to the loch on Stirling's campus

Arts project challenges stereotypes of ‘old age’

A new interactive theatre performance challenging the stigma and stereotypes associated with older age opens next month, as part of a major research project.

A screengrab of an online rehearsal on Zoom