The interests of staff in the Department of Social Policy at the LSE embrace virtually all major issues which confront individual countries and the world today.

The issues we cover include health, social services, education, social security, housing, crime and criminal justice, youth policy and problems posed by poverty, social exclusion and globalisation.

The role of national and local government and non-governmental organisations in instigating policy change and funding reform is a key issue. Our staff are from many different academic backgrounds - including economics, sociology, psychology, demography, geography, history and philosophy. They are continually involved in policy debate and in advising local, national and international organisations - governmental and non-governmental. Their research is frequently referred to in both the national and international media.

In the national Research Assessment Exercises, the Department of Social Policy has consistently been rated as the best in the country. In the most recent national teaching quality assessment exercise we were rated as 'excellent'.

Our former students fill senior policy-related and academic positions in countries around the world.