Edinburgh School of Social and Political Sciences (SSPS)

The School of Social and Political Science (SSPS) is one of the largest Schools within the University of Edinburgh.

The School is one of the leading schools of social science in the UK; its success reflects excellence in research, education and governance. Its member Subjects include Politics and International Relations; Social Anthropology; Social Policy (including Global Public Health); Social Work; Science, Technology and Innovation Studies [STIS]; and Sociology. The School also includes the Academy of Government and the Institute of Governance, and the Centres of African Studies, of Canadian Studies, and for South Asian Studies. Its academic staff complement currently numbers c. 150. It has c. 1,000 undergraduate students on its programmes of study, over 500 taught postgraduates, and over 300 research postgraduates. It hosts the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) and the ESRC Doctoral Training Centre for Scotland. The Head of School is Professor Fiona Mackay.

The School's primary aim is the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and understanding of social science. It provides an outstanding educational environment and supports the highest quality research. The academic staff profile is multi-disciplinary across the key social sciences, with a strong and growing international orientation. Building upon established strengths in International Development, the School is centrally involved in the University's Global Development Academy, and in the Global Academies of Justice, Health and of Environment and Society.