Dr Matthew Adams discusses the role of social sciences at a time of environmental crisis and the strengths of the University’s psychology department.Continue reading “Podcast: Catching up with Dr Matthew Adams”
This week’s podcast is with Peter Squires, professor of criminology. Continue reading “Catching up with Professor Peter Squires (podcast)”
Call for Papers: Southern Perspectives upon Policing, Security and Social Order: Seminar and roundtable Continue reading “Call for Papers: Southern Perspectives upon Policing, Security and Social Order: Seminar and roundtable”
Professor Kate Bullen, Head of the School of Applied Social Science swapped her office at Falmer for the splendour of a graduation ceremony at the University of Buckingham recently.
Continue reading “Honorary Doctorate for Professor Kate Bullen”
Jordan Landsborough, an Applied Psychology and Sociology BA(Hons) student, has gained work experience in the SU’s Health and Wellbeing team and with the student-led wellbeing initiative Mood Boost. We asked her about her work experience and about her course. Continue reading “My work experience”
Carl Walker, Reader and Course leader, MA Community Psychology, has co-wrote a report for the London-based Centre for Responsible Credit and the Local Government Association. Continue reading “Spending review must boost council’s ability to support low income households”
The top diversity officer with American Express has urged University of Brighton graduates to be fearless, ambitious – and to pace themselves. Continue reading “Be fearless and ambitious”
New student?
Congratulations to everyone who’s received an offer. If you’ve had your place confirmed, you’ll be able to enrol online from today.
Professor Kate Bullen, head of the School of Applied Social Science, will become the new President of the British Psychological Society (BPS) at its AGM on 30th August.
Professor Bullen has been interviewed by the BPS’s ‘The Psychologist’ magazine as she takes the chair and said “I’m honoured to have the opportunity to serve as BPS President for 2018/19, during a time of exciting change and positive progress for the Society.”
Read the full story here.
We are hosting a conference focusing on arts and research for social change. The first ‘Carnival of Invention’ features 29 talks, workshops, performances, installations and displays, with sessions being delivered by more than 40 academics, artists and community practitioners from around the world. Continue reading “A Carnival of Invention – tickets available”
New Social and Informal Learning Space (SILS) is in development for Watson Building (formerly Mayfield House) at Falmer, home to the School of Applied Social Science. Continue reading “New Social and Informal Learning Space (SILS) “
Cath Holmström, Deputy Head of School of Applied Social Science (Student Experience and Recruitment) and Joanna MacDonnell, Director of Education (Arts & Humanities), have been chosen to help access the quality of teaching and learning environments in Higher Education institutions around the UK. Continue reading “We’ve been chosen to help access national teaching standards (TEF) around the UK”
Dr Mary Darking, Senior Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Science is working on a national campaign which aims to help eliminate HIV within a generation.
You can read the full story here.
To mark International Women’s Day in 2018 we are celebrating the achievements of just some of the academics working here at Brighton. Continue reading “We’re celebrating International Women’s day”
This year the School of Applied Social Science (SASS) launched their first summer research studentships. Continue reading “Research Studentships – Amy’s story”
It might be cold outside but don’t let that stop you visiting us this winter! 
If you’re considering starting an undergraduate course here in 2018, why not sign up to one of our campus tours taking place during December and January and find out more about what it’s like study at Brighton?
The tours will give you the chance to explore the campus where your course of interest is based, view our facilities and talk to our staff and students.
Find out more and book onto a tour.
New student? make sure you subscribe to the University of Brighton Moneymatters blog for latest advice and information on all things funding and fees for our student advice team.
The university’s annual awards for learning and teaching were announced at this year’s Learning and Teaching conference. Continue reading “SASS receive two Excellence in Learning and Teaching awards”
This week, more than 4,400 University of Brighton students graduated at our ceremonies at the Brighton Centre which started on Tuesday (25 July). Students aged 19 – 79 and from over 90 countries dressed in gowns and mortarboards to collect their awards.
The School of Applied Social Science (SASS), class of 2017, took to the stage on Wednesday 26th July for the morning ceremony. Continue reading “Graduation – SASS prizewinners, the class of 2017”
The University of Brighton and the University of Sussex is co-hosting the British Science Festival this year. The event, which is the longest, established science Festival in Europe takes place from 5th-9th September and features an array of interesting events in an exciting daytime and evening programme.
The School of Applied Social Sciences are based in Falmer, Brighton and we teach a number of inspirational and thought provoking Applied Social Science courses.
If you are interested in Criminology, Politics, Psychology, Social Policy and Practice, Social Science, Social Work, or Sociology we would love to talk to you about why you should ‘Choose University of Brighton’.
The Falmer open day will be held on the Saturday 1 July 2017, 9am to 5pm.
To find out more, see the timetable and book your place now!
Professor Kate Bullen, Applied Social Science Head of School and Professor of Psychology, has been elected as President of the British Psychological Society (BPS). The BPS is the second largest psychological association in the world, second only to the American Psychological Association. Continue reading “SASS Head of School elected as President of the British Psychological Society”
Squatting – grass roots redistribution of space or theft? This is the subject that Dr. Deanna Dadusc, Lecturer in Criminology at University of Brighton, refers to in her recent article called ‘Squatting: the urban space as a common good’, written for Times Literary Supplement (TLS).
This offers a fascinating insight into her view on the potential impact of the recent criminalisation of squatting and how this change in law could alter public perceptions around the use of urban space and private property.
The article raises questions such as “Is there really is a housing crisis?”, and whether “Urban regeneration has contributed to a social inequality by making some urban spaces inaccessible to those who used to inhabit them?”.
With business investment increasing, ‘local’ people being unable to afford to live in the area, yet vacant properties potentially running into thousands, squatting appeared a viable option for some. However the law has changed and squatting is now illegal.
Whether you are studying criminology or this area of law, this article debates an interesting, ethical angle on squatting.
Read Dr Dadusc’s article here and let us know what you think!
Professor Yvonne Jewkes, Research Professor in Criminology, delivered her keynote speech on prison architecture, design and space and how this impacts on prisoner behaviour last Friday 2nd June. Continue reading “Research study looks at how prison architectural design impacts prisoner behaviour”
The annual Brighton Undergraduate Dissertation Showcase Conference (BUDS) took place on 17th May SASS (School of Applied Social Science), and was an excellent opportunity for all our third-year students studying in the School of Applied Social Sciences to showcase their dissertation work to fellow students and staff. Continue reading “3rd year students showcase ideas and inspiration at BUDS”
What a fantastic event it was at the Brighton Student Union (BSU) Awards 2017 ceremony at Komedia last night! Not only did the School of Applied Social Sciences (SASS) receive a number of nominations beforehand, but on the night they scooped up a total of 8 awards, including ‘School of the Year’ award!! Continue reading “Outstanding performance by SASS who scooped 8 awards at the Brighton Student Union Awards ceremony!!”
You would have thought that going to an applicant day at university to have a closer look at the subject offerings would have been a serious affair – yet judging by the smiles on everyone’s faces the atmosphere was light hearted, and fun! If you didn’t make it – have look below to get a taste of what goes on at our SASS applicant day. Continue reading “A glimpse into our SASS Applicant Day!”
With over 8000 Metropolitan Police stating in a recent survey that they should be allowed to carry a taser, this has become a hot topic for debate.
Professor Peter Squires, of Criminology and Public Policy at the University of Brighton, speaks to The Conversation about the lessons learnt from countries where police carry weapons, and what the research and evidence show so far.
What do you think? Read the full article here and let us have your feedback on whether police carrying tasers is a good idea.
Last week, Wesley Ankrah (Criminology and Sociology BA(Hons) 2012) formally launched his community interest company, Essential Living Future. Essential Living Future offers training programmes, work experiences and employment opportunities to engage with the communities where property developers are undertaking development projects.
Source: Wesley launches community enterprise | University of Brighton Alumni Association
Peter Squires, University of Brighton
A criminologist with a passion for crime fiction. It sounds a bit of a cliché, but crime thrillers may have started me on this career path to begin with. I’ve always told people that my interest in law and order was ignited by Z-Cars, when believable working class characters and realistic urban settings replaced the usual, old-fashioned cerebral sleuths in country houses. But then I’ve been reading mysteries and detective stories since childhood. I started, as did many, with the Famous Five and the Hardy boys, before gravitating on to more adult crime fiction and legal thrillers. Continue reading “Best summer crime fiction, as recommended by a criminologist”
Numbers of University of Brighton graduates finding jobs or moving into further study hits all-time high.
Source: Numbers of graduates finding jobs hits all-time high
Announced by the European Commission, the University of Brighton has retained its ‘HR Excellence in Research’ award.
Source: European Commission ‘HR Excellence in Research’ Award for the University of Brighton
One of our ECRs Hannah Thurston, Senior Lecturer, has had a successful June with the publication of her first book, Prisons and Punishment in Texas. Many congratulations go to Hannah on this excellent achievement.
Professor Kate Bullen
Professor of Psychology and Head of the School of Applied Social Science
Helen Williamson, University of Brighton
How it is possible to get hold of weapons in Britain despite tough laws that restrict their ownership and use? This strict firearm legislation, enacted chiefly through the Firearms Act 1968 and amendments following the 1987 Hungerford mass shooting and 1996 Dunblane mass shoting, has reduced the number of purpose-made firearms in circulation. This has contributed to the number of firearms offences (including those using airguns and air rifles) falling from a high of 24,094 in 2004 to 7,866 in 2015. Continue reading “How illegal firearms find their way onto British streets despite tough laws”
Peter Squires, University of Brighton
Thomas Hamilton walked into Dunblane Primary School, near Stirling, Scotland on March 13 1996, armed with four legally-owned handguns and over 700 rounds of ammunition. In three to four terrible minutes, he fired 105 shots killing 16 children and their teacher, and wounding 15 more children. His last shot killed himself.
In the 20 years since Dunblane, a great deal has been learned about preventing gun violence. Only the United States, where mass shootings now number in the hundreds, seems reluctant to embrace those lessons, prompting president Barack Obama to wonder why the US could not do more on gun control. Continue reading “Dunblane massacre 20 years on: how Britain rewrote its gun laws – and the challenge it faces now”
Alex Simpson, University of Brighton
At heart, The Big Short – which just won Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars – is a parable. Much like Robin Hood’s comment on the greed of King John, it warns of the dangers that come from taking from the poor for personal gain and power. It is a simple story designed to illustrate a moral lesson. And when the moral lesson in hand is calling out the financial establishment, you’d think we should be pleased the film is scoring so many accolades.
But this particular story has some issues. While the film attacks the moral architecture of Wall Street’s financial services industry, in doing so it continues to uphold the “virtue” and “sanctity” of the financial market. The outcome is another dramatisation of the events surrounding the financial crisis that leaves a sour taste and a questionable moral lesson. Continue reading “The Big Short is a perverse Robin Hood parable – in which King John wins”
Yvonne Jewkes, University of Brighton
The “new for old” prison reform programme would close old city-centre jails in British cities, such as the iconic HMPs Pentonville, Wandsworth and Strangeways. Speculation about what will replace these notorious Victorian “houses of correction” has been rife.
These and more recent prisons also slated for closure, such as HMP Holloway, occupy valuable city centre sites. Some will be bulldozed or redeveloped as housing – or even, as with the former HMP Oxford, as a boutique hotel with rooms designed around the former cells, exercise yards and punishment blocks. Continue reading “How to build better prisons”
Danny Dorling, Halford Mackinder Professor at the University of Oxford will be delivering the University of Brighton Annual Social Science Forum Lecture.
Thursday 19th May 2016
5.30-7.00pm
Of the richest 25 countries in the world the UK has become one of the most unequal and is on course to win the ‘global race’ to become the most economically unequal of all by 2030. In all of Western Europe, apart from in post-crisis Ireland, no other country taxes and spends as little on its society as the UK does. Once all taxes are considered it is clear that the most well off 1% of society pay tax at a lower rate than the poorest tenth, whilst simultaneously complaining about how much they contribute and how little they think they get back. Danny Dorling is a leading thinker on the geography of inequality and a member of the London Fairness Commission. His recent lecture addressed these glaring disparities; considering how we arrived at this situation and what we could do about changing it.
www.dannydorling.org
@dannydorling
Huxley Lecture Theatre, Room 300, Huxley Building, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton. BN2 4AT
For more information contact Julie Green: J.Green2@brighton.ac.uk
Peter Squires, University of Brighton
It’s common in the US to refer to a second-term president in his final year as a “lame duck”, his time limited, his momentum gone, and his political capital ebbing away to whoever’s next in line for the White House. But, not for the first time, Barack Obama has surprised and confounded his critics.
Deeply frustrated by the failure of his package of “sensible gun controls” to secure enough votes in the Senate back in April 2013, he has now announced a series of executive control measures as a way of delivering on key gun control commitments, re-energising the debate and doing so in a way that may favour the Democratic cause in a presidential election year. Continue reading “Obama’s bold move against guns proves the politics of firearms really is changing”
The 2015-16 Timetable is now available!
Please contact J.Green2@brighton.ac.uk with any queries.
