Centre for Research on Inclusive Society
Advancing knowledge on inclusive policies and practices
The Centre for Research on Inclusive Society (CRIS) is a multidisciplinary research centre dedicated to advancing knowledge on inclusive policies and practices. The aim of the centre is to foster interdisciplinary research on social in/exclusion broadly defined, and to produce evidence-based research that informs policy development and social change towards a more inclusive society.
The research in the centre is based on a diverse range of methodological approaches, utilising various traditions and innovative methods to advance knowledge and understanding. We work closely with external organisations, including local authorities, housing providers, the voluntary and community sector, and government. Whilst locally rooted, we are active in several national and international partnerships in the UK, Europe and beyond.
Criminal Justice, Deviance and Victimology
The Criminal Justice, Deviance and Victimology area of research represents world leading and internationally excellent critical scholarship by a diverse team of researchers united by their interests in crime, victimisation, discrimination, criminal justice and human rights. Researchers engage in explaining criminal and deviant behaviour, its impact upon victims as well as understanding criminal justice processes, institutions and professions to improve experiences, outcomes and policies.
We have developed close working relationships with key policy makers and practitioners enabling positive impact across criminal justice systems. The theme represents multiple research methodologies and theoretical traditions drawing upon the expertise of members which includes youth justice, policing, incarceration, socio-legal perspectives, desistance, restorative justice, discrimination and social harm.
Environment, Place and Society
Our work in this area considers environmental challenges within the context of social justice. Particular areas of enquiry include energy-efficient home retrofit, energy poverty, sustainable and active travel, greenspace and wellbeing, and urban food growing. These are understood alongside contemporary societal themes including migration, poverty, integration and inclusion.
We work at a range of scales from the home, through the neighbourhood and community, to the city region and the rural, bringing to the fore how spaces and places are made, contested and lived. Drawing on mobilities and sustainable practices, ethnography, human geography and cultural sociology, we are interested in the development of socio-spatial methodologies that centre human experiences of the built and natural environment.
Equity, Inequalities, and Inclusivity
This research area examines the multifaceted dimensions of equity, inequality, inclusivity, and belonging within the framework of contemporary societal structures and institutional paradigms. Spanning two Research and Knowledge Exchange Centres (The Centre for Applied Health Research and the Centre for Research on Inclusive Society), this theme brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers from sociology, social policy, social work, criminology, nursing and public health.
The research covers two interrelated areas. One strand focusses on understanding experiences of inclusivity, equity, and belonging across society and its institutions, with a view to shaping cultures, policy, and practice. This research is animated by questions of how difference, belonging, and identity are negotiated and the challenges this presents. Specifically, our research focus includes Islamophobia, race and racism, decolonisation, citizenship, gender, marginalisation, exclusion and intersectionality.
Another strand focusses upon health inequities and health inclusion. This is concerned with contemporary aspects of health and well-being such as improving care and outcomes for excluded groups such as Gypsy, Roma, Travellers, migrants and those experiencing the most extreme forms of social exclusion such as people who are homeless, people who are in or have been in prison, people who use drugs and sex workers. This theme also includes international work in low and middle incomes countries exploring issues such maternal health and disability and child protection.
Digital Society
This area focuses on interpreting and creatively responding to the opportunities and challenges posed by the increasing digitisation of industry, governance, and everyday life. The Digital Society theme examines on the transformations underway in various aspects of social life due to the proliferation of new technologies.
In particular, the 'digital' relates to the profound shift that has been underway since the mid-2000s whereby much of social life became increasingly mediated by digital platforms such as social media, and digital devices such as the smartphone. This process continued to accelerate during the Covid19 pandemic where learning and working became for many a 'remote' experience with lasting effects.
Researchers in this area therefore pay close attention to the relationship between 'digitisation' and (1) areas of personal life: from childhood, families and health, to identities, relationships and sexuality; and (2) areas of public life: from communities, leisure activities and consumption, to citizenship, work, and political activism. Research in this theme also examines the ways in which digital technologies are changing the nature of academic research itself, exploring new methodologies and assessing the ethics of Big Data.
Work and Welfare
The focus of this research area is understanding experiences of work and welfare to address issues of poverty, social exclusion and poor mental health and wellbeing. Our research in this area is helping to provide a policy and practice relevant up to date evidence base on the experiences of groups within welfare systems and labour markets and analysis of large and complex datasets.
Sustainable Housing and Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU)
Established in 1996, the Sustainable Housing and Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU) is a multidisciplinary research group hosted within the Centre for Research on Inclusive Society. The work of SHUSU reflects the complex and interconnected challenges faced by contemporary society. These challenges include ensuring fair access to housing, equitable welfare systems and services, population mobility, positive social relations within communities, environmental sustainability and inclusive growth.
SHUSU brings together internationally renowned researchers as part of a multidisciplinary team. Our expertise is drawn from social policy, sociology, urban geography, housing management, psychology, sustainability, health, social care and social work. We are actively engaged in research that highlights the processes, outcomes and impacts of marginalisation on individuals and communities. SHUSU members contribute to CRIS themes.
Centre for Research on Inclusive Society
Explore our Centre for Research on Inclusive Society website to find out more about our recent projects.
Get in Touch
For more information, please contact the centre's co-directors:
Dr Daiga Kamerāde: d.kamerade2@salford.ac.uk
Professor Lisa Scullion: l.scullion@salford.ac.uk