The School of Social and Cultural Studies brings together the teaching, research and scholarship strengths of Criminology, Cultural Anthropology, Social Policy and Sociology, and the Study of Religion.
You’ll study the current analyses of how societies and cultures are formed, how they are governed, how they break down and how we might envisage new and viable future social and cultural systems.
Our researchers
Prohibition is a social harm
Fiona's current research explores the harms caused by prohibition and the 'war on drugs'.
Ethnographic dimensions of religious freedom
Tasi’s ethnographic research is on religious freedom in Samoa and shows major tension between Western individual rights and Samoa’s collective Christian ethic.
Does pain feel how it means?
Ian researches the world's largest cause of disability – chronic pain – documenting how patients and clinicians understand pain and pain science education.
Office of the Inspectorate at the Department of Corrections
Since graduating with a degree in Criminology, I have also worked at the Court of Appeal, the National Intelligence Centre (New Zealand Police) and the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
Read more about Kymberley JackFrom Sociology graduate to graduate policy analyst
"Sociology offers a good foundation for policy work and the skills I developed are transferable. Policy work is meaningful and a great transition from university to the workforce" says Bex Kidson
Read more about Bex
Religious Studies student shines bright here and abroad
In her first year, Aria’s courses covered a variety of different subjects, and from this she found a special passion for Religious Studies. “After two lessons I just knew I needed to make this into something.”
Read more about Aria's journey