School of Social Sciences & Global Studies
The School of Social Sciences and Global Studies at The Open University is a hub for innovative disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and research-led teaching that aims to explore and tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by societies across the globe.
We offer an intellectually stimulating environment for academic staff and students, including undergraduate and postgraduate studies and a lively postgraduate research community.
Matt Staples (Head of School, SSGS)
Local & Global, the fourth edition of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies (SSGS) magazine has just launched. You can still catch up with the first three issues, if you have missed reading them.
Study
The School offers a deliberately unconventional combination of disciplinary traditions which support a wide range of interdisciplinary and disciplinary modules and qualifications.
Research
The School is a hub for disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and research-led teaching that aims to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by societies across the globe.
Outreach and External Engagement
Through the pursuit of strategic partnerships and progressive engagement, we strive to make a difference in the wider world.
Centre for Global Challenges and Social Justice
Established in October 2021, the Centre provides critical, interdisciplinary insight, and innovative, social justice driven solutions to challenges facing contemporary global societies.
News
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Workshop held on improving the recruitment of women into the British Armed Forces
On Tuesday 1 July, Dr Georgina Holmes and NGO SecurityWomen ran an internal workshop for the UK Ministry of Defence on the recruitment…
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Sociology launches Stuart Hall Dissertation Prize
Sociology announces the Professor Stuart Hall Dissertation Prize, awarded annually to three outstanding Sociology dissertations that contribute to…
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Criminologist secures funding to unravel a dark part of Lancashire’s history
Criminologist Dr David Scott secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to commemorate the bicentennial of the Chatterton…
GCSJ seminar series: Marginalised and stigmatised - sex work should not cost my life
Friday, January 16, 2026 - 12:00 to 13:00
Online, via Microsoft Teams
After researching sex workers in Cape Town and the UK there seems to be a desperate need for the safeguarding of sex worker.
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