About us
BACKGROUND
The Birkbeck Institute for Social Research (BISR) is the focal point for social research at Birkbeck, and a hub for the dissemination and discussion of social research in London and beyond. The BISR brings together academic staff and research students from across the College, and has a distinctively critical and socially engaged approach to social research.
The Institute plays an active role in promoting social research to a wide range of publics within London; encouraging cross-disciplinary debate, critical thinking and the stimulation of new research agendas on important social issues.
Our activities include seminars, conferences, symposia, thematic groups and other academic events related to members' core interests. We invite many distinguished visiting speakers to the College each year, and we also organise workshops and seminars that contribute to extending and enhancing methodological expertise and innovation in social research. Recordings of many of our events are available as podcasts, ensuring that many thousands of people who are not able to attend can experience some of the vibrancy of academic life at Birkbeck.
We work within and across the disciplines of sociology, geography, politics, history, law, applied linguistics, communication and media studies, anthropology, education and social policy, and we have particularly strong commitments to the transdisciplinary fields of psychosocial studies, gender, sexuality and queer studies, development and post-colonial studies.
While the BISR is committed to supporting critically engaged research and practice, it does not impose an overarching research agenda or particular themes that drive its activity. It aims, rather, to identify and amplify interdisciplinary and collaborative research priorities and trajectories that emerge from the academic community across the College.
BISR PERSONNEL
- Director, Birkbeck Institute for Social Research: Awaiting appointment
- Manager, Birkbeck Institute for Social Research: Lou Miller
BISR STEERING GROUP
- Director, Birkbeck Institute for Social Research: Awaiting appointment
- Dr Andi Fugard, Psychosocial Studies
- Dr Bojana Petric, Applied Linguistics and Communication
- Dr Fintan Walsh, English, Theatre and Creative Writing
- Dr Fiona Tasker, Psychology
- Dr Jason Edwards, Politics
- Dr Rachael Dobson, Criminology
- Dr Simone Wesner, Film, Media and Cultural Studies
- Professor Susan James, Philosophy
- Dr Susy Menis, Law
- Dr Wendy Hein, Marketing
- Lise Groenvold, PhD Rep, English
- Secretariat: Lou Miller, Manager, Birkbeck Institute for Social Research