The University of Sheffield
Interdisciplinary Centre of the Social Sciences

Research groups based in ICOSS

The Centre's interdisciplinary focus across the social sciences recognises the importance of collaborative work and physical proximity in addressing problem focussed and policy relevant research.

All departments within the faculty of Social Sciences are potential stakeholders in ICOSS and a number of research groups from across these disciplines are already located within ICOSS.

Some of the research groups currently based in ICOSS are listed below. For further information on a particular research group please follow the link to the group's own website (listed on the right).

Building Environments Analysis Unit (BEAU)

The Building Environments Analysis Unit (BEAU) in the School of Architecture aims to promote research, teaching, training and consultancy in the field of energy and environmental issues related to the built environment, and to provide advice and support on sustainable building design to the building industry.

Our ultimate goal is to tackling Climate Change through developing Low Carbon Buildings. We have experiences through projects funded by EPSRC, Yorkshire Forward, Carbon Trust, Public/Private organisations and the EU platforms such as ERDF, Marie Curie, ERASMUS and EUREKA.

BEAU is a multi-disciplinary Research Centre based in ICOSS with primary roles:

 

Centre for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (CEES)

The Centre for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (CEES) is to be a leading world class centre of excellence in multi-disciplinary research, development and deployment of innovative ways to advance the understanding of energy, environment and sustainability for a low carbon future.

Led by Faculty of Social Science at The University of Sheffield, CEES pulls together the critical mass of established world class research expertise in these related areas. CEES will act as the platform leading the cross cutting multi disciplinary centre of research excellence in Social Science, working closely with Engineering and Science, to demonstrate the impact, value and benefits the research has brought about to industry and society.

CEES will also act as a nucleus feeding into the University of Sheffield cross cutting energy and environment theme, Science-led Project Sunshine and Engineering-led AMRC, NAMRC, KROTO and Siemens Wind. In addition, CEES will also act as the integrated platform to link research at Sheffield with the Centre for Low Carbon Futures (CLCF).

 

Centre for the Study of Childhood and Youth (CSCY)

The Centre for the Study of Childhood and Youth was established in 2002. It is a multi-disciplinary Research Centre committed to contributing to the improvement of children and young people´s lives. Through research and dissemination it is actively involved in gaining a greater understanding of the lives of children and young people in modern society and in helping to develop and shape local, national and international policies that improve their everyday lives.

 

Living With Difference

This research programme involves five inter‐linked projects which will explore the extent and nature of everyday encounters with 'difference', by each collecting original data in the UK (a post‐colonial European state) and Poland (a post-communist European state). The findings are intended to provide an integrated evidence base that will inform European policies and strategies for living with difference. We are witnessing unprecedented levels of mobility and population change within and beyond the European Union. In this context, it is argued that how we develop the capacity to live with difference is the key issue of the 21st century.

 

Research In Practice

Research in Practice exists to support children’s services - provided by local authorities, voluntary sector organisations or other public sector bodies - to use research in order to achieve the best outcomes for children and families. We aim to build capacity for evidence-informed practice: that is, practice that is informed by evidence about the services, interventions and approaches that work. If a family needed medical help for a child, they’d expect health professionals to be drawing on research into the condition, diagnosis, prognosis and effective treatment. Our work is about bringing the same approach to social care, education and other services for families.

 

Sheffield Institute for International Development (SIID)

The Sheffield Institute for International Development (SIID) is a flagship interdisciplinary research institute within the University of Sheffield. It brings together researchers, partners, students and stakeholder groups to develop new approaches to development research. Understanding the challenges of development is increasingly important in our inter-connected world.

SIID promotes a vision of international development as a struggle for social justice and a space for activism and engagement. Our mission is to examine and explore the multiple, lived experiences of development and the struggles for a more just global settlement SIID builds on the outstanding previous achievements of the Sheffield International Development Network (SIDnet).

 

Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute (SPERI)

SPERI brings together leading international researchers, policy-makers, journalists and opinion formers to develop new ways of thinking about the economic and political challenges posed for the whole world by the current combination of financial crisis, shifting economic power and environmental threat.

 

South Yorkshire Comprehensive Local Research Network (SY CLRN)

The South Yorkshire Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN) is one of 25 such NHS groups across England which form part of the NIHR Comprehensive Clincial Research Network (CCRN). The CCRN provides support for clinical trials and other well designed studies in all areas of disease and clinical need.