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

Auto-construction and alternative building in Aotearoa
Rowan researches the moral economic dimensions of self-builders’ alternative construction and dwelling practices in response to housing and environmental crises

Exceptional survivors
Kevin Dew’s research is with people who have lived with cancer longer than expected, hearing about their experiences and understandings of survivorship.

(Im)moral economies
Corinna Howland’s research examines what people find bad, difficult, troubling or immoral in their economic lives.

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