SCHOOL OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL STUDIES

School of Social and Cultural Studies

The School of Social and Cultural Studies brings together the respective teaching, research and scholarship strengths of Criminology, Cultural Anthropology, Social Policy, Social Science Research and Sociology.

Part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington,  you can expect to learn from us current analyses of how societies and cultures are formed, how they are governed, how they break down and how we might envisage new and viable future social and cultural systems.

Coming Events

Apr 7SACS Conference Future of Organ and Tissue Donation

Date: 7 April 2010
Time: 8.30 - 17.00
Venue: Hunter Council Chamber
More »

Latest News

Student Film Selected for German Film Festival
Last year a team of four Anthropology students produced a short film as part of their course work. This film has been selected to screen at the prestigious German film festival in May. Find out more >>.
Contrasts in Punishment between Anglophone and Scandinavian
Professor John Pratt (Criminology) has been awarded a James Cook Fellowship (2009-2011) to research the major differences in the punishment of offenders between New Zealand, England and Australia More »
Contrasts in Punishment between Anglophone and Scandinavian
Professor John Pratt (Criminology) has been awarded a James Cook Fellowship (2009-2011) to research the major differences in the punishment of offenders between New Zealand, England and Australia More »
The Polynesian Iconoclasm
Associate Professor Jeff Sissons (Cultural Anthropology) has been awarded a Marsden grant (2009-2012) to carry out historical research into the destruction of religious architecture and images in French Polynesia, Hawaii and the Cook Islands during the early to mid-nineteenth century More »
Activist Aotearoa - Welface Reform and Revolution
Dr Sandra Grey (Social Policy) was awarded a fast-start Marsden grant (2008-2010) for her research aimed at extending understanding of the relationship between social movements and the state by comparing the outcomes of activism by three mobilisations—the women’s, union, and anti-poverty movements.More »
Perceptions of Bio-identity in Organ Donation and Transplantation
Dr Rhonda Shaw (Sociology) was awarded a fast-start Marsden grant (2008-2010) for her project based on qualitative research designed to gain understanding of Maori and Pakeha views about human embodiment and identity and the incorporation of body tissues. More »

Welcome From Head of School - Allison Kirkman

We contribute to a strong and vibrant social science presence here at Victoria University. Read more from Allison.

Crime and Justice Research Centre

Provides research and consultancy services on crime and criminal justice responses. The Centre concentrates on policy-focused research, done under contract to government and public sector agencies.

Sociolog

Is a chronicle of reflections written by Sociology, Social Policy, Social Science Research staff and postgraduate students. Read the most recent entry - Tips for Young Researchers: Lessons from the Disability Project

Bronwyn McGovern - PhD Student

I am researching Wellington’s homeless street people, specifically in regard to how they find space, make it their own, and interact with others in this space. Read more about Bronwyn's research