Psychosocial Research Unit (PRU)

The PRU was established in 2005, responding to service user demands for holistic thinking in health and welfare. It crosses disciplinary boundaries that hinder the development of the knowledge and evidence base for psychosocial practice. The development of scholarship and research with a strong practice and policy focus responds to the complex demands on the human services.

Psychosocial research in health and welfare entails an approach to service users as biological, emotional, social and cultural subjects. It positions the individual in networks of interpersonal relationships, organisations, and socio/political/economic systems. The knowledge base draws on the social and psychological sciences, political theory, social policy, philosophy and cultural studies. It has applications in social work and social care, nursing, community and youth work and the criminal justice system, and shares a natural affinity with the arts and humanities. A major recent focus of PRU's work has been the role of arts-based practice in restorative youth justice and the evaluation of public and community-based arts initiatives.

Download the PRU flyer