The School of Social and Cultural Studies brings together the teaching, research and scholarship strengths of Criminology, Cultural Anthropology, Religious Studies, Social Policy and Sociology.
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
Forgetting and Remembering Historical Colonial Violence
Liana’s research for Hutt City Council is on iwi perspectives of the battle of Boulcott’s Farm to change public history in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt
West Coast Communities and Toheroa
Jacs' research looks at the management and relationship coastal Māori have with the elusive toheroa, an endemic shellfish to Aotearoa.
Wrestling with Religion
Geoff’s research examines the contested roles of religion in social life, and its evolving shape and meanings in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Inspector for the 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
Sociology graduate a staff member at Spark
Having a degree in Sociology showed my employer that I could grasp complex concepts, meet deadlines and articulate myself clearly with logic and reasoned argument.
Read more about Hamish