Exploring the boundaries of social science

As part of the Year of Science events, the School of Education and Communities explored the role of social sciences and their growing significance in a world beset by a range of social and physical challenges.

Under the title, Solving Your Dilemmas, the gathering at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, panels and workshops investigated how the role of social sciences compared to that of the more recognised sciences.  

Organiser Dr Meera Tiwari, the school’s Director of Impact and Innovation and Associate Professor in International Development Studies and Programme Leader, said, “The Day of Science was a testament to the power of collaboration and the pivotal role of social sciences in addressing contemporary global issues.  

The event not only fostered academic and professional growth but also highlighted the University of East London’s commitment to impactful research and community engagement. Attendees left with renewed enthusiasm and a collective sense of purpose, eager to apply the insights gained to their own work and communities.”

The day began with a panel discussion titled "Is Social Science a Science?" This session, moderated by Professor Giorgia Dona, Co-Director of the Centre for Research on Migration, Refugees and Belongings (CMRB), featured thought-provoking discussions from panellists drawn from different disciplines and backgrounds.  

Professor Winston Morgan, Dr Anna Minton, Dr Stuart Connop, and Dr Julia Davidson engaged the audience with their insights, sparking a lively debate and leaving attendees with new perspectives.  

Those engaged in more recognised sciences said that the social sciences were increasingly influencing their research. Professor Morgan, a researcher in Toxicology and Clinical Biochemistry recalled on his experiences researching Covid. He told how the Government sought purely biological and physiological answers to higher infection rates in the Black community but the discrepancy was ultimately linked to structural racism and other social factors.  

Workshops later explored these ideas further, investigating the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the workforce, offering insights into how partners can prepare for an AI-driven future as well as the development of effective sustainability strategies, focusing on which approaches best address various environmental and social issues.

The afternoon plenary session, "What is the relevance of Social Sciences/Educational research for solving our world’s challenges?" featured compelling contributions from Professor Matt Bellgard, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Impact and Innovation, and Dr Paul Marshall, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Careers and Enterprise, who gave personal perspectives on their own interaction with science and social science, underscoring the message that collaborations across traditional barriers were important to tackling global crises, such as climate change.