Social Sciences Blog

From Criminology Student to Neighbourhood Officer

Discover how Caitlin, a Criminology and Security Studies alumna, entered the field, the diverse responsibilities of h...

A glimpse into the world of policing

From being called out to real-time incidents such as burglary, to serving at the Queen's funeral,  Criminology, Polic...

What is Black Studies?

What is Black Studies? Find out more about Europe's first ever Black Studies degree and what exactly you can learn from...

My year abroad: how it's changed my outlook on life!

Dr Lily Hamourtziadou on casualty recording and human rights

Dr Lily Hamourtziadou, Senior Lecturer in Criminology with Security Studies, participated in a round table discussion a...

Volunteering in Criminal Justice

As part of your degree you will undertake a placement module that will require you to research and apply for a voluntar...

Why study social sciences in Birmingham

What makes Birmingham City University so special? It’s not just our state-of-the-art, modern City Centre Campus. Read ...

Why study psychology in Birmingham

Our  state-of-the-art campus is the perfect place to undertake a psychology-related course, but other than that, w...

Academic Spotlight: Ben Colliver

Dr Ben Colliver has a range of experience in a variety of settings including pupil referral units, colleges and univer...

5 reasons to come to our Social Sciences Open Day

Open Days are a great opportunity for you to experience a little bit of life as a BCU student. Take a look at why they...

Academic Spotlight: Mohammed Rahman

Dr Mohammed Rahman is a senior lecturer in Criminology in the School of Social Sciences. He has published international...

Academic Spotlight: Kadian Pow

Social sciences lecturer, Kadian Pow has over 20 years of experience working in education in both the USA and the UK. ...

Academic Spotlight: Rebecca Semmens-Wheeler

Dr Rebecca Semmens-Wheeler joined BCU’s psychology department in 2016 and is joint course director for the BPS accredi...

Why you should study criminology in Birmingham

Our modern City Centre Campus is the perfect place to undertake a criminology degree, but what makes Birmingham so sp...

Improving lives on my psychology placement

Psychology students here at BCU get the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their studies. Work placem...

Jobs you can get with a psychology degree

When you work hard on your Psychology degree, you want to know what jobs are out there for you when you graduate. So,...

Careers you can do with a Criminology degree

Are you wondering what jobs are out there for you when you graduate? Knowing what career you could go into could be a...

Careers you can do with a Social Sciences degree

Are you studying a Sociology , Black Studies or Youth Work and Communities degree and want to know what type of jo...

Which Sociology course is right for you?

Looking at studying a sociology related course? You’ve come to the right place, as we’ve got several to choose from tha...

Disentangling Sport and Security

It was the Romans that once said, "Give them bread and circuses, and the people will neglect their concerns." 

Best crime scene shows on TV right now

Consider yourself a super sleuth? Constantly invested in true crime shows and podcasts? If so, you may want to find ou...

What does Putin do now?

Senior Teaching Fellow Jonathan Jackson looks at what could lay ahead in the on-going Russian - Ukrainian conflict.

Student accommodation vlog

Student Caitlin shows us around her student digs over at the Old Fire Station.

Chat to our social sciences students

If you’re wondering what university will be like, when placements might be or just generally interested about student ...

Why Stacey chose to study Social Sciences at BCU

BA Criminology (Hons) student Stacey  discusses why she chose Birmingham City University.

Why Alex chose to study social sciences at BCU

Social sciences student Alex discusses why he chose to study at Birmingham City University 

Why Rachael chose to study Psychology at BCU

Student Ambassador Rachael  discusses why she chose Birmingham City University.

Ambassador Blogs: Why I Chose to Study Sociology

Social Media Ambassador Charandeep explains why she chose BCU.

Ambassador Blogs: Why I Chose Criminology

Social Media Ambassador Vishna discusses why she chose Birmingham City University.

Women Teaching Policing: Reflections, motivations and looking forward

As the initial shock of the case settles, Laura Riley and Sharda Murria explore how academics working with future offic...

What to look for in a Social Sciences School

When starting out on the journey towards university, most students start looking at either the big picture, or the fin...

Five Traits You Need to be a Youth Worker

Our new BA (Hons) Youth Work and Communities degree has been designed to help kick-start your journey towards becoming ...

Policing the Police: Bodycams and public scrutiny

Body worn cameras, or bodycams, were only introduced to policing around 3-4 years ago but have since become a regular p...

The best crime podcasts to listen to right now

Find out our choices for the best true crime podcasts available right now.

The Yorkshire Ripper’s New Victims

Professor Craig Jackson shares his insights on a new TV Show about the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe.

Ambassador Blogs: Why I chose to study a Masters degree in MA Criminology

School of Social Sciences student Alex talks us through his journey from undergraduate to postgraduate study at BCU.

Ambassador Blog: Building an Online Community

Psychology ambassador Ellie explains how she helped put together a network for her fellow students during lockdown.

“Press X to be Gay”: Drawing attention to LGBTQ+ representation in gaming history

Assistant Lecturer in Psychology Frazer Heritage examines how the representation of LGBTQ+ characters in video games, ...

Ambassador Blogs: Why I chose to study a Masters degree in MSc Forensic Psychology

Postgraduate student Fern explains why she chose to take her studies further at the School of Social Sciences.

The Psychological Dangers of Blue Monday

"The notion of Blue Monday can be dangerous for those struggling with mental health', warns psychologist"

Four reasons to take a postgraduate placement

We explore how you can get a head start on your career with a postgraduate placement.

Packing for University

Packing for university can be overwhelming, especially if you are studying overseas. Here are our top tips for packing ...

Restaurants for Each Culture

If you’re feeling a little homesick or missing your favourite meals, then take a look at the restaurants Birmingham has...

Looking after your mental health – top tips from our Mental Health First Aiders

We have asked our team of Mental Health First Aiders to give us their top tips for looking after your mental health.

Which Psychology degree is right for you?

We look at the range of Psychology courses offered by Birmingham City University

Which Black Studies course is right for you?

In this article, we’ll examine both courses, looking at what sets them apart from other Sociology degrees, so you can s...

Patriarchy Meets Neoliberalism: Tackling domestic abuse in the twenty-first century

Professor Liz Yardley explores why it's important that society starts to look at domestic abuse differently.

Black Lives Matter Book Recommendations

A list of book recommendations for those looking to educate themselves on the societal issues facing Black people in th...

Best crime dramas on Netflix right now

Crime shows and documentaries have become a hugely popular genre in recent years, with shows like CSI, Breaking Bad and...

June is Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month: is it needed?

School of Social Sciences associate professor Geraldine Lee-Treweek examines the history and relevance of June's  Gypsy...

Protecting ‘Safe Spaces’ or Rolling Back Trans Rights?

Dr Ben Colliver, a Criminology Lecturer at Birmingham City University, looks at legislation changes in the UK and US an...

Societies at the School of Social Sciences

When you become a BCU student, you automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, giving you access to the wide...

The Cold War of the Middle East

Senior Teaching Fellow Jonathan Jackson examines the similarities between the Cold War between America and the Soviet U...

Student Support Services at BLSS

The Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences at Birmingham City University has a lot of support services on offer t...

Lessons of the Past: Napoleon, Borodino and the Russian Campaign

In June 1812, one of the greatest military commanders of all time launched his most daring and risky invasion.

Crime and Corona

Senior Teaching Fellow Jonathan Jackson discusses the impact the UK-wide lockdown due to coronavirus could have on crim...

I AM BCU - Something Special

We asked some of our students to tell us something special they have experienced during their time at Birmingham City U...

Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove: Police response to the Coronavirus

Jonathan Jackson, course leader for our BSc (Hons) Professional Policing course, discusses the global police response t...

Dragons, Snakes and Covid-19: Old and new threats to our security

School of Social Sciences staff members Jonathan Jackson and Lily  Hamourtziadou look at global security threats in thi...

HMP Grendon: A Student View on the Annual Debate

MA Criminology student Sally Browne gave her take on the annual students vs inmates debate at HMP Grendon.

Out of Court Disposal Sessions

As a result of BCU’s active connections with West Midlands police, MA Criminology student Sally Browne has been able t...

Glocalization, Bricolage and Black Metal: How a music-centric youth culture portrays global and glocal interests

Criminology lecturer Kevin Hoffin offers an insight into how Glocalization and Bricolage shape the Black Metal subcultu...

An Alternative View of Peaky Blinders

A critical response to Jonathan Jackson's " By Order of the Peaky Blinders ", by Craig Kelly.

By Order of the Peaky Blinders

Senior Teaching Fellow in Policing and Security studies, Jonathan Jackson explores what we can learn from one of BBC’s...

Memorials and Remembrance

School of Social Sciences members Lily Hamourtziadou and Maram Abdulkader wrote the following blog after visiting the B...

Taser Training - A Students Perspective

On October 10, MA Criminology student Sally Browne was given the opportunity to represent Birmingham City University a...

University, Life, and My Borderline Personality Disorder

Professor Craig Jackson spoke to a psychology student who was prepared to explain what it is like for many students su...

Mandalay Bay Mass Shooting - Two Years On

Tuesday 1st October marks two years since the Route 91 Harvest music festival mass shooting occurred in Las Vegas on Su...

4 Reasons to Study Policing

Policing is one of the most recognisable professions, but it's also an occupation that changes country to country, tow...

Alcotraz - The hottest new place for wannabe inmates

Alcotraz is the latest quirky drinking location found at the heart of London’s iconic Brick Lane and below, a recent re...

A Step Back: Trump’s Violent Environmental Policies

Despite being one of the greatest, if not the most significant threat that our planet faces, Trump's imprudent environ...

Micro and Macro harms of Neoliberalism through the lens of violent and structural crime

Day after day, the wider media issue reports on violent crimes, with a heavy focus on knife crime. 

‘I didn’t realise it was already Halloween, freak”: Reflections of a Goth immersed in sociological deviance

Everyone has something they identify themselves with, it’s taught at the most basic level of sociology. 

Winning Wars: The Myth of Technology

Technology has long played a part in the success and failure of military operations.

Personal Sovereignty, or “He who makes a beast of himself…”

Much has been said recently about sovereignty; if the sloganeering chants that drove a majority of a population to vot...

Myths and Small Margins: Lessons of Command from Operation Barbarossa

When society thinks of key moments in human history, we are often reminded of how so much can be decided by the smalle...

Removing ‘No Outsiders’ school lessons is adding to LGBT people being targets for hate speech and violence

Ben Colliver argues there are ‘serious implications’ for children who are being denied access to the No Outsiders prog...

Introducing the Desecuritising Higher Education Project at Birmingham City University

Looking into Prevent duty

Four deadly planes and their legacy: Iraq 16 years after the invasion

Dr Lily Hamourtziadou and  Edwin Knapp look at the legacy of the Iraq war, 16 years after it started.

What careers can you get into with a postgraduate psychology degree?

Psychology is an area of study that can open up many career doors for those graduating from postgraduate degrees.

How YOU can get into psychology and criminology

Have you ever wondered how to switch disciplines at University? 

The Dark ‘Flâneur’: Re-theorising Serial Murder through the Ultra-Realist Lens

How did a transient physical labourer whom was once noted as an aspiring and promising boxer come to hold the grizzly ...

Grenfell Tower Walk

In June 2017 the country’s attention focused on London, as we witnessed one of the UK’s worst disasters: the fire at G...

Attacking a Giant: The lessons of Pearl Harbour

As many around the world prepare for the annual festivities, it is maybe important to remember another key moment that...

Raising Awareness of Coercive Control

Amidst the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, I thought it would be beneficial to reflect on my attend...

The Norwegian response to Breivik is a sign of a “fundamentally civilised nation”

What should be the main purpose of imprisonment? Criminology Lecturer Liam Brolan explores Norway's response to Anders...

Mental Health and Suicide: It’s Complicated but Simple

For Mental Health Awareness Day, Professor Craig Jackson looks at the complexity of suicidal behaviour.

7 careers for Social Sciences graduates

When you work hard on your university degree, you want to know what jobs are out there for you when you graduate.

Everyday psychology tricks marketers use

Psychology plays a large role in marketing, so we thought we would examine just a handful of the psychological tricks m...

Top Four Reasons to be a Criminologist

Where there is civilization, there is crime. 

Five Ways Black Studies will Profoundly Change University Education

We took the first step forward in opening up academic discussions on race relations and Black history in Europe.

5 reasons to study a Sociology degree

Here are five reasons why we think you should consider studying Sociology.

The Grindr killer

Exploring the Stephen Port case 

The branches of social sciences explained

Criminology, Psychology and Sociology - which one is for you?