Welcome to Sociology and Criminology

About Sociology and Criminology

The sociology discipline at The University of Queensland has a longstanding tradition and is widely recognised as a leader in sociological scholarship in Australia. It has been further enhanced in recent years by the addition of a new program in criminology, which is strongly underpinned by sociological theories into the study of crime and deviance.

Our staff in these areas are internationally renowned and engage in cutting edge research in the following broad areas:

• Crime prevention, governance and social control
• Development and gender
• Families, households and relationships
• Globalisation, migration and culture
• Health
• Housing and community
• Language, communication and social interaction
• Life pathways and longitudinal studies
• Social theory
• The sociology of food, agriculture and the environment

Staff are also highly trained in research methods and we have an excellent reputation for large-scale, longitudinal survey research, ethnomethodological studies of conversation analysis and qualitative research techniques. We are also affiliated with the University’s Institute of Social Science Research, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security (CEPS), the Australian Social Science Data Archives (ASSDA), the Australian Qualitative Data Archive (AQuA) and the Australian Research Council Network in Spatially Integrated Social Science.

Undergraduate students who study sociology and criminology at UQ develop a distinctive set of skills and experiences that are highly sought after by employers. These include rigorous training in research methods and an ability to apply critical thinking and evidence-based research to understand a broad range of phenomena such as social change, modern society and culture, contemporary social institutions, crime and its regulation and the relationship between people and the environment.

UQ offers a stimulating environment for Honours and postgraduate study and we have a large and active cohort of coursework and Research Higher Degree students working in sociology and criminology. Many go on to develop successful academic careers in universities around the world, while others gain high level positions in government, business and not-for-profit organisations.

We welcome applications for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in sociology and criminology. We also welcome applications from national and overseas scholars wishing to spend their sabbatical with us. Please feel free to contact us if you require more information.

Enrolling in a PhD

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