Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds

Dr Roxana Barbulescu and colleagues pictured at conference,

We are proud to spotlight Dr Roxana Barbulescu at the Work, Employment & Society Conference 2025.

Alongside colleagues, Dr Barbulescu presented 'East-West Inequalities and Gendered Labour Mobilities within Europe'.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/bcaE50XuKAe (p.10)
📸 Dr Barbulescu, left

Front cover of the Monitoring and Evaluation strategy and an image of Prof Ana Manzano

We are proud to share this inspiring case study about Professor Ana Manzano and her 18-month UKRI Policy Fellowship with the Department for the Economy NI.

A great example of collaboration between academia and policy.

🔗 Read the case study here: https://ow.ly/f8SB50XuI25

How the School of Sociology and Social Policy is celebrating Disability History Month 2025 Discover how the University of Leeds School of Sociology and Social Policy is marking Disability History Month 2025 through research, activism and inclusive education.

This #DisabilityHistoryMonth discover how the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds is working to advance social inclusion and social justice.

Read more about some of our leading scholars, research centres and inclusive education ⬇️🌟

https://ow.ly/rKb850XuHo8

Poster for event

After last year’s success… ⏳

Join us for the Global Islamophobia Photo Exhibition this #IAM2025, hosted by the Iqbal Centre with the Centre for Ethnicity & Racism Studies.
📍 Riley Smith Theatre, Leeds Uni Union
🗓 Thu 20 Nov | Opening at 9am, closing at 4:30pm

Don’t miss it!

Picture of Dr Maria Rovisco

Promotion Announcement! ✅

We are thrilled to share that Dr Maria Rovisco has been promoted to Professor of Cultural Sociology. Maria's research & teaching has had a lasting impact & we are proud to have her as part of our School since 2019.
Join us in congratulating Maria on this achievement! 🎉

Demonstration and a child on someone's shoulders holding up a card with scribbles on. Text says Leeds Institute for Societal Futures.

LSSI has evolved into Leeds Institute for Societal Futures!

At the end of this year, the LSSI website will go offline. Please bookmark our new home: societal.leeds.ac.uk for updates on research, education, and impact.

@universityofleeds.bsky.social #Leeds #SocietalFutures #society

Background of a branching tree. #News flare. Text reads: The School of Law launches a groundbreaking research group to tackle ecological law and justice concerns!

We are delighted to announce the formation of The Ecological Law and Justice Group. The Group provides a focal point for the School's outstanding research and teaching in areas related to the environment.
For more about their ambitions, experts, and how to get involved 👇
tinyurl.com/bdhkh7av

Let's call it what it is: Islamophobia, not 'anti-Muslim hate' If Britain's Labour Party officially abandons this term, it's not semantics - it's a denial of systemic injustice

Why does language matter?

Dr Shaheen Kattiparambil recently featured in the Middle East Eye, exploring the implications of replacing the term 'Islamophobia' with 'anti-Musim hate'.

You can read the full article here: www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/lets...

#IslamophobiaAwareness

Last week, Dr Roxana Barbulescu visited the the House of Lords for discussions on border issues and immigration policy 🏛️

We are proud to see our academics involved in conversations that influence policy and practice at the highest level.

📸 Check out some highlights from Roxana’s visit below!

We are delighted to announce that the third lecture in this year's Inaugural Lecture Series will be given by Prof Alex Nicholson with 'Valuable legal education and aspiring human lawyers: a manifesto'.

📅 4 Dec
⏰ 5-6PM
📍 Liberty Building Moot Court

More info and tickets 👇
tinyurl.com/bdf5zexx

Feminism in Times of Crisis: Dr Jessica Martin releases a new book Dr Jessica Martin has recently published a book that seeks to explore gender inequalities, the rise of media driven feminism, and how public figures have shaped a new kind of 'austerity celebrity'.

Check out our recent interview with Dr Jessica Martin following the release of her powerful new book 'Feminisms and Domesticity in Times of Crisis: The Rise of the Austerity Celebrity'.

In this interview, Jess dives into her research, inspirations, and what’s next 🌟

📖 https://ow.ly/bxRC50XnQnV

Lady looking at a laptop - text says Postgraduate Researcher Training Opportunities - University of Leeds

Did you know that as part of the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) any social science Postdoctoral Researchers at the University of Leeds can attend WRDTP training events? For full details of this year's training programme, please visit wrdtp.ac.uk/training/ - please spread the word!

Person looking at a computer screen

🚨 New MSc: AI Ethics & Society

🤖💻AI is reshaping our world - but who decides how it's used?

📲Tackle real-world challenges & develop expertise in ethical, responsible AI. Designed for thinkers, changemakers & tech-aware professionals.

Apply now for Oct 2026 start👉 bit.ly/3VTE8J5
#ethicalAI #MSc

YouTube video by University of Leeds Miro Griffiths

Research Spotlight Series - Dr Miro Griffiths 📹

Episode two of our Research Spotlight Series features Dr Miro Griffiths discussing young voices in disability activism.

🔗 Listen to the episode: youtu.be/ksMzYOODyvc?...

#DisabilityStudies @cdsleeds.bsky.social

Report Launch Event - ESRC Young Women's Working Lives Project!

🖊️ Reservation Required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/report-launch-event-rethinking-young-womens-working-lives-tickets-1865517245299?aff=oddtdtcreator

Students studying

🎓 Apply now for ESRC White Rose DTP PhD studentships commencing Oct 26 @universityofleeds.bsky.social

Application deadline: 21 Jan 2026
Open to UK & international applicants.
Funding includes fees + stipend.
Specialist awards available.
👉 Further info: bit.ly/471gXBM

#Funding #PhD #Studentships

Call for Papers: the Journal of Work, Employment and Society. A special issue of Work, Employment and Society is welcoming paper submissions.

The Journal of Work, Employment and Society is inviting research submissions for a special issue co-edited by Prof. Kim Allen.

Open for:
📖 Research articles
📚 Book Reviews
🎓 PhD showcases
📰 On the Front Line articles
⏱️ Submission Deadline: 27 February 2026 @ 17:00

https://ow.ly/muVl50XkflV

Image showing students watching presentation at M&S archives.

Food at M&S

Students currently completing the new for this semester 'Food and Society' module visited the Marks and Spencer Archive to learn about the history of food at M&S.

An extremely insightful trip!

📸Picture taken during the visit

'Race and Rebellion' with Dr Abdullah

Join Dr Abdullah to discuss the profound influence of West African movements on the enslaved Muslims of the New World.

#BlackHistoryMonth

Black History Month: New Module in MA Gender Studies Dr Megan Robertson has developed a module now being offered as part of the MA Gender Studies at the University of Leeds.

New MA module launching in Semester Two! 🎓
Dr Megan Robertson has developed a new module for our MA Gender Studies programme: 'Gender, Race, and Colonialism: Theory, Activism and Utopian Futures'. A fantastic new opportunity for our MA students! 📚
🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/nMHu50XgPTW

Leeds academics win research grant to support student workers Prof. Kim Allen and Dr Lilith Brouwers from the School of Sociology and Social Policy are part of a research team that have won a grant to address the gap in support for student workers.

📢 Big news!

Prof. Kim Allen, Dr. Lilith Brouwers & Prof. Kate Hardy have won a grant for project 'Student Work is Work', supporting student workers with TUC & Young Women’s Trust.
Building real impact. 👏

Read more: https://ow.ly/Vnji50Xfrbg
#StudentRights #LeedsResearch

SSP celebrates World Food Day 2025 How is academic work from the School of Sociology and Social Policy addressing hunger, food security, and sustainable agriculture?

How is academic work from our School addressing hunger, food security, and sustainable agriculture?

📝Find out in our latest article featuring:
✅New module content
✅Ongoing research projects
✅Podcast appearances

Check it out: https://ow.ly/VO2350Xcf4W

#FeedingtheNation #WFD2025 #WorldFoodDay

YouTube video by University of Leeds Roxana Barbulescu & Bethany Robertson-Feeding the nation-seasonal migrant workers and food security

🌍World Food Day 2025 #FoodforAll

📹 Listen as Dr Roxana Barbulescu & Dr Bethany Robertson discuss the ESRC funded project 'Feeding the Nation' which explores the vital role of seasonal workers and farming in supporting our food system ⬇️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ggn...

@globalfoodleeds.bsky.social

This week we are celebrating Ayu Kusumastuti who has successfully passed her PhD viva.

PhD titled: Transnational Female Migrants’ Political Participation and Gendered Labour in Homeland Elections: Indonesian Domestic Workers in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

Congratulations Ayu! 🎉

The Society of Latin American Studies Conference returns to Leeds! Proposals invited On 9 and 10 April, 2026, Leeds will be hosting the annual conference of the Society of Latin American Studies (SLAS), marking a return to the city for the first time since 2009.

The Society of Latin American Studies Conference returns to Leeds, 09-10 April 2026!
Theme: Memory Studies and Social Justice 💡
Proposals for papers, panels, roundtables & more are invited
300 word abstract due 27 October 2025 📝
🔗 Find out more & submit your abstract: https://ow.ly/3kzQ50X8Zjo

Building careers by overcoming barriers Almost 500 women have benefitted from a University of Leeds-run project to boost the careers of Black, Asian and minority ethnic students.

Building Careers by Overcoming Barriers 🚫

‘Generation Delta’ by the University of Leeds empowers Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic students with training & career support.

Proud to see our PhD student Iman Federico-Awi featured in this spotlight article!

🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/Pj3450X8YG9

Congratulations Bingchun Hu on successfully passing her PhD viva! 🎉

PhD title: The Role of Social Media in Factory Workers’ Rural–Urban Migration Trajectories in China.

Reflecting on the 2025 CDS International Postgraduate Conference - 'Disability within Environments' 🌍

Postgraduate representatives Johanna Knebel & Ruby Goodley have shared their conference experience.
Read more: https://ow.ly/McMZ50X8wvp
Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds

Book Release! 🔖
Dr Jessica Martin has published 'Feminisms and Domesticity in Times of Crisis', via Bloomsbury Academic

The book explores gender inequality, media driven feminism, and a new kind of 'austerity celebrity'

Congratulations Jess! 📖

Check it out here: https://ow.ly/izBc50X8jc5

The 'Feeding the Nation' project was led by our Dr Roxana Barbulescu and Dr Bethany Robertson.

Learn more about the project, including outcomes and impacts:

researchatleeds.leeds.ac.uk/seasonal-mig...

#SeasonalMigration #ResearchandInnovation