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School of Social Sciences

Research centres and initiatives

The School is home to a thriving research community including the following organisations and initiatives:

ESRC-funded centres

ESRC Research Centre for Socio-Cultural Change
CRESC provides an integrated programme of theoretically directed, inter-disciplinary empirical research on socio-cultural change in the UK,placing this in comparative and historical perspective, so that its findings can shape academic research, and can be drawn upon by users of cultural research.

Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods

Realities is investigating personal relationships and connections between people. Our particular emphasis is on developing methods that can capture the combination of vital, tangible and intangible dynamics in the way that personal relationships are lived. We take a creative methodological approach that combines traditional methods, both qualitative and quantitative, with new qualitatively-driven approaches. As well as research, we have a programme of training events for new and experienced researchers.

Other SoSS based Centres

The Cathie Marsh Centre for Census and Survey Research
A multidisciplinary research centre, CCSR was formally launched in 1995 and grew out of the Census Microdata Unit
Centre for Growth & Business Cycle Research
Carries out research in the area of economic growth and business cycles
CRIC - Centre for Research on Innovation & Competition
The main objectives of CRIC's research is to cast new light on the problem of competitiveness and the role that innovation plays in this

Manchester eResearch Centre
MeRC investigates the development, deployment and uptake of enabling research infrastructures – known as e-Infrastructure in Europe and cyberinfrastructure in the US – comprising advanced information and communication technologies.

Morgan Centre for the Study of Relationships and Personal Life

The Morgan Centre for the Study of Relationships and Personal Life is a focus for research in the fields of family life, contemporary relationships, parenting and partnering and childhood.

SoSS Gender Research Group
The SoSS Gender Research Group in the School of Social Sciences was established in October 2004. It brings together researchers from across SoSS who have a common interest in studies of gender.

The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence
The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at the University of Manchester aims to provide a portal website for European integration-focussed activities and studies in the University of Manchester and partners and stakeholders in the North West. The Centre aims to develop a platform to establish and strengthen local and regional links between stakeholders, practitioners, researchers, teachers and students.

The Democracy, Citizens and Elections Research Network (DCERN)
The Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology
The Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology was established in 1987 to develop both research and teaching in visual anthropology. In 2007, the research unit EIDOS, associated with the development of a 'masterworks' film collection and a system of visiting fellowships, was created within the Centre.

Other existing School/Faculty/University-wide centres

Brooks World Poverty Institute
Centre for Chinese Studies
EWERC The European Work and Employment Research Centre
The European Work and Employment Research Centre has developed an internationally recognized programme of comparative and interdisciplinary research funded by national and international agencies. This research involves collaborations by academics and research staff from a range of disciplines, including management, labour economics, sociology, geography and industrial relations.
Institute for Political & Economic Governance
This multi-disciplinary research institute aims to contribute to the development of effective governance appropriate to the needs of economy and society in the new century.
Institute for Social Change
The Institute for Social Change (ISC) is an interdisciplinary research Institute which examines the causes and consequences of social change
The Cultural Theory Institute
The Cultural Theory Institute (CTI) at the University of Manchester was establised in 2004 as an interdisciplinary research institute with the remit of rethinking the contested ground of culture.
Manchester Informatics
Mi is creating a joined-up multidisciplinary informatics community across the whole university to study both natural and engineered systems for the acquisition, storage, integration, processing, visualization and communication of information.
Political Economy Institute
Research Centre in Emotion and Value
Research Institute for Cosmopolitan Cultures (RICC)