Social Sciences Sector

The Social Sciences sector examines the structures, relationships, and dynamics that shape human society. It encompasses disciplines such as sociology, social policy, economics, political science, education, international relations, and human geography. Research in this sector seeks to understand social phenomena and inform public policy, with a strong emphasis on real-world impact through collaboration with government, industry, and civil society.

Wales has notable strengths in this field, underpinned by its devolved governance, which creates a distinctive environment for policy-relevant research. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is a globally recognised example of legislation shaped by academic insight, particularly in the areas of sustainability and public policy. Welsh universities work closely with government departments on priorities such as poverty reduction, rural development, education reform, and community resilience.

Institutions such as Cardiff University’s School of Social Sciences, Swansea University’s Centre for Innovative Ageing, and Aberystwyth University’s Department of International Politics lead in both theoretical and applied research. Collaborative infrastructure such as WISERD and strategic investment from Sêr Cymru and HEFCW have strengthened research capacity, enabling Welsh social scientists to contribute meaningfully to UKRI and Horizon Europe initiatives. This positions Wales as a dynamic hub for socially impactful, interdisciplinary research with both national relevance and international reach.

Wales’s social sciences research sector is recognised for its interdisciplinarity, policy impact, and contribution to addressing major societal challenges. Across its universities and research centres, Wales hosts a diverse ecosystem of expertise spanning social policy, education, psychology, economics, criminology, and governance, underpinned by a strong culture of collaboration and knowledge exchange. This collective effort shapes evidence-based policymaking, strengthens community resilience, and enhances wellbeing across Wales and beyond.

At Cardiff University, nationally and internationally recognised research centres such as the Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE) and the Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute (SCIII) advance research in social care, governance, and security policy. Cardiff also leads major collaborative networks that underpin Welsh social science, including the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD), which unites researchers from Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, South Wales, and Swansea universities to build shared data infrastructure and interdisciplinary capacity.

Swansea University hosts a strong suite of research centres and groups that demonstrate international reach and policy influence. These include the Global Drug Policy Observatory (GDPO), the Centre for Social Change, the Centre for Applied Microeconomics, the Centre for Research in Macroeconomics and Macro-Finance (CReMMF), and Global Security, Rights & Development (GSRD). Together, these centres reflect Swansea’s broad disciplinary strength across global policy, economics, and social development. Complementing these national centres, Aberystwyth’s Department of International Politics and Bangor’s research in education, behavioural science, and community wellbeing advance influential work in governance, public policy, and social change, connecting academic research with civic and environmental priorities across Wales.

At Cardiff Metropolitan University, research within The Creative Writing, Community Health and Wellbeing Research Group (CREWCOM) and the Social Policy and Practice Research Group addresses applied aspects of wellbeing, behaviour, and mental health, linking social and community-based perspectives to inform practice and policy. The University of South Wales (USW) contributes through its Social Policy Research and Innovation Group, which promotes impactful research in welfare, inequality and social justice; global development and global social policy; as well as environment and sustainability. Meanwhile, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) supports community-focused and applied research through its work, engaging with local and regional partners to address social challenges and advance evidence-led development. In North Wales, Wrexham University strengthens the applied research landscape through community-based projects in education, health, and wellbeing, translating social-science insight directly into local regeneration and practice.

Industry and public-sector collaboration are central to Wales’s social-science impact. Universities work closely with the Welsh Government, NHS Wales, local authorities, and the third sector to translate research into policy and practice. Partnerships with organisations such as the Bevan Foundation, the Office for National Statistics Data Science Campus, and the Data Nation Accelerator link academic research to workforce development, social enterprise, and digital innovation, ensuring that Wales’s social sciences directly contribute to economic and social wellbeing.

Collaboration remains a defining feature of Wales’s social-science landscape. The Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) which connects researchers across multiple institutions, including Cardiff, Bangor, and Swansea universities provides training in a range of issues affecting society today.  Aberystwyth and Wrexham also contribute to postgraduate development through regionally focused social-science research and civic partnerships. And the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) collaborates with leading policy experts to provide ministers, the civil service and public services supported by Cardiff University, the Economic and Research Council and Welsh Government.

Together, these institutions and networks form a cohesive, collaborative social-science sector that informs public policy, drives social innovation, and contributes significantly to Wales’s broader research and innovation ecosystem. Their shared commitment to partnership and impact ensures that Welsh social science continues to influence practice and policy both nationally and globally.

• Mr Jonathan Fry, Business and Management School, Aberystwyth University 
• Dr Yvonne Ehrstein, Sociology, Aberystwyth University

• Professor Andrew McStay, School of History, Law and Social Sciences, Bangor University

• Steven Osborne, Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University
• Professor Yingli Wang, Logistics and Operations and pro dean research impact and innovation, Cardiff University 

• Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE, ICAEW (Institute of Charted Accountants in England and Wales)
• Gavin Price, Sports Diplomacy MD, Sport and Health Sciences, Sports Diplomacy 

• Melinda Mulcahy, The World Curiosity Organization and Curious You

• Dr Denis Dennehy, School of Business and Management, Swansea University 

• Deborah Jenkins, Tourism, University of Wales Trinity St David's
• Jacqui Jones, Tourism and Events Management, University of Wales Trinity St Davids

• Cheryl Allsop, Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of South Wales 
• Hannah Coombs, Crime, Security and Justice, University of South Wales 
• Sofia Christidi, Business and Creative Industries, University of South Wales 
• Professor Christian Kaunert, International Centre of Policing and Security, University of South Wales
• Claire Parmenter, Policing and Security, University of South Wales
• Dr Andrew Thompson, Business and Creative Industries, University of South Wales 

• Dr Gareth Carr, Built Environment, Facility of Arts, Science and Technology, Wrexham University 
• Nina Ruddle, Public Policy Engagement, Wrexham University

• Dr Yvonne Ehrstein, Sociology, Aberystwyth University

• Roger Pride,  Place Marketing  - Owner / Director of Pride Marketing Ltd

• Professor Joanne Davies,  Head of Swansea Universities state of the art Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre, Swansea University

• Dr Bharati Rathore, Lecturer in Management, University of South Wales

• Jemma Smith, Programme Manager - International Gastronomy Management, University of Wales Trinity St Davids

• Laura Hutchings, Senior Lecturer/Digital Development and Innovation Champion: Institute of Education and Humanities, University of Wales Trinity St Davids

• Dr Rebecca Scott, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Cardiff University 

If you are a trade or specialist association or professional society. If you work for a not-for-profit or charitable concern.  If you lead a commercial business or specific industry group. Or if you work in an academic setting alongside international colleagues, we would love to hear from you.

You can email, telephone us or complete our online enquiry form on our ambassador Wales homepage. 

Email: ambassadors@meetinwales.co.uk

Telephone: +44 02921 661018