About Us
About the Division
The Social Sciences Division is one of four academic divisions of the University of Oxford. It is led by a full-time Head of Division (who also sits on Council and its key committees) and by an elected Divisional Board drawn from its constituent units.
The division has responsibility for over 700 academics in twelve departments and the Faculty of Law, about 1740 graduate students, and 1900 undergraduates.
Head of Division
The Head of the Social Sciences division is Professor Roger Goodman, who was appointed to the post in April 2008. Professor Goodman is Nissan Professor of Modern Japanese Studies and specialises in research on Japanese education and social policy. Further information about Professor Goodman's research can be found here.
Social Sciences Board
The Social Sciences Board has oversight of the organisation, development, and delivery of curricula in collaboration with the colleges, and oversight and development of the general context of research in the Social Sciences and in Law. It prepares five-year strategic plans and approves annually departmental budgets and operating statements. It is also responsible for the appointment and reappointment of academic staff, and the maintenance of educational quality and standards.
The Board meets twice each term, on Friday of Second and Seventh Week, and has a membership drawn from across the division. Its work is supported by four committees: a Graduate Studies Committee, an Undergraduate Studies Committee, a Teaching Audit Committee and a Planning and Resources Committee which helps to support departments in sustaining their research effort.
There is also a Committee on Library Provision in Social Sciences and an ICT Committee.