Research

The Department is actively engaged in research clusters that address some of society’s most intractable issues and that align with Clemson University’s emphasis areas incorporate:

• Health
• Environment and Sustainability
• Social Institutions: Family, Religion, Education
• Demography
• Community
• Global Issues
• Inequalities: Sex and Gender, Race/Ethnicity, Social Class

Faculty investigate their research questions using a variety of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, including content analysis, historical analysis, in-depth interviews, and secondary data analysis. Faculty often engage in interdisciplinary research, contributing to scholarly efforts across campus and affiliating with other entities on campus including:

• School of Health Research
• Center for Watershed Excellence
• National Dropout Prevention Center
• Warren Lasch Conservation Center
• Center for Geospatial Technologies
• Institute for Engaged Aging

The department also prides itself on training the next generation of researchers in sociology, anthropology and criminal justice through our undergraduate and graduate programs. Students are often involved in research efforts, as Research Assistants and co-authors. For many students, these initiatives are an important training ground for securing admission to graduate school or finding employment in research organizations.

The Center for Criminal Justice and Social Research enables Clemson University faculty members to provide a variety of services to community partners, including technical assistance on grant writing, independent evaluation of community-based projects, and research on the outcomes and impact of community initiatives. The center serves the land-grant mission of the University and facilitates research-practitioner partnerships by helping local governmental, criminal justice, and non-profit organizations pursue funding for social research and evaluation.