About the School

Welcome to the School of Social Science, and to our discipline areas of anthropology, archaeology, criminology and sociology. We hope you will become part of our learning community.

The School was established as a Department of Anthropology and Sociology in 1966 and has grown to become one of the leading social science schools in Australia. We are known internationally for our strong research focus and for producing undergraduate and postgraduate students with the analytical and critical-thinking skills demanded by employers.

Staff members - drawn from throughout the world – are leading figures in their disciplines, and the School has strong and extensive international links. The lecturing staff bring to the classroom enthusiasm for their disciplines, together with their considerable research expertise. This combination ensures that the latest ideas and insights of the disciplines are immediately available to students. This provides a refreshingly creative environment for interaction and learning.

Over the last few years, academic staff have won a variety of prestigious teaching and research awards, along with millions of dollars in research grants from national and international funding agencies. Research funding has allowed staff and postgraduate students to pursue their research interests in locations as diverse as Norway, Turkey, PNG, India, Laos, and the Pacific Islands. We also conduct important social-science based research within Australia, with strong links to Indigenous communities of the north.

As you will see from our various disciplinary offerings, we provide a comprehensive range of courses, with students being able to move seamlessly from undergraduate to honours to masters or doctoral studies. We feel sure you will be able to progress your academic future in the School of Social Science!

With over 30 academic and adjunct staff and with 100 postgraduate students, the School provides an atmosphere of encouragement and support for research activity and intellectual growth of its members. The School's Operational Plan details the direction for the School over the next five years.

Welcome to our website. Welcome to our community.



Geoffrey Lawrence PhD FASSA
Head of School

History of the School of Social Science

The School is relatively young, having been established as a Department of Anthropology and Sociology in 1966. In Anthropology, it was preceded by the Australian National University (Research School of Pacific Studies) and by Sydney, Western Australia, Adelaide and Monash universities. In Sociology, it was preceded by the Australian National University (Research School of Social Science) and the universities of New South Wales and Monash.

The department became a separate entity in 1966 when Professor Peter Lawrence became foundation professor and head of the new department, a position he held until 1970. In 1970, Professor John Western was appointed as the first Professor of Sociology and Head of Department, and in 1975 Professor Bruce Rigsby was appointed to the recently created Chair in Anthropology. Through the 1980s and 1990s Professor John Western, Professor Jake Najman and Professor Bruce Rigsby headed the School.

The Department of Anthropology, Archaeology and Sociology was renamed the School of Social Science in 2001 and Professor Geoffrey Lawrence was appointed Head in 2002. Criminology officially became another discipline area in 2003. Professor David Trigger is currently the Deputy Head of School.

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