Research Impact

Explore some of the ongoing research projects from the School of Law and Social Justice, and the real-life impact they have had. 

We are delighted that in the REF 2021 results announcment on Thursday 12 May 2022, SSPC has placed 3rd in the REF for 4* outputs, and Law has placed 10th for 4* Impact.

Tackling Childhood Obesity: Defining Food Marketing as a Global Child Rights Concern

Tackling Childhood Obesity (REF2021 case study)

Defining Food Marketing as a Global Child Rights Concern – Prof Amandine Garde

The UK’s Withdrawal from the European Union: Influencing Policy Making

The UK’s Withdrawal from the European Union (REF2021 case study)

Influencing Policy Making and Improving Public Understanding – Prof Michael Dougan

Informing, Developing, and Delivering the UK’s Trade Policy Fishing boats and shipping cranes

Informing, Developing, and Delivering the UK’s Trade Policy (REF2021 case study)

Dr Gregory Messenger & Dr Mavluda Sattorova

Supporting Charities in Challenging Times

Supporting Charities in Challenging Times (REF2021 case study)

Prof Debra Morris & Prof Warren Barr

Protecting Children’s Legal Status and Rights in the UK After Brexit

Protecting Children’s Legal Status and Rights in the UK After Brexit (REF2021 case study)

Prof Helen Stalford

Youth justice, human rights and penal detention Prof Barry Goldson plus a black and white image of two children behind fencing

Youth justice, human rights and penal detention (REF2021 case study)

The functioning and effects of youth justice systems – Prof Barry Goldson

Closing Justice Gaps Research Impact collage - Closing Justice Gaps - Prof Barry Godfrey

Closing Justice Gaps (REF2021 case study)

Improving the Effectiveness of and Confidence in Out of Court Disposals – Prof Barry Godfrey

Reshaping Labour and Trade Union Policy on Workplace Safety Regulation

Reshaping Labour and Trade Union Policy on Workplace Safety Regulation (REF2021 case study)

Prof David Whyte

The Loop drug checking service Meet the Team group photo of The Loop

The Loop

The UK’s first systematic drug checking service – Prof Fiona Measham

The Shadow Pandemic

Working Papers on Covid-19 domestic abuse – Prof Sandra Walklate, Prof Barry Godfrey & Dr Jane Richardson

Using historical life-course data to shape criminal justice

Using historical life-course data to shape criminal justice policy and practice

Prof Barry Godfrey

Digital Panopticon

Digital Panopticon (History department submission)

Prof Barry Godfrey

REF 2021 results A blue graphic with yellow and white text that reads: 10th - Law is ranked 10th in the sector for outstanding (4*) research impact in REF 2021

REF 2021 results (UoA 18 Law)

View a summary of our REF 2021 results for Law

REF 2021 results A blue graphic with yellow and white text that reads: 3rd - Social Work and Social Policy is ranked 3rd in the sector for research outputs classified as world leading (4*) in REF 2021

REF 2021 results (UoA 20 Social Work and Social Policy)

View a summary of our REF 2021 results for SSPC

Coronavirus Research

Researchers apply their expertise to explore how society was impacted by the pandemic.