Ask a Social Scientist

As part of Social Sciences Week 2022, we engaged with five of our remarkable graduates to record the video series, ‘Ask a Social Scientist: Alumni Edition’. In conversation with academic staff from the School of Social Sciences, each graduate explores the real-world impact of their studies and how the social sciences can drive positive change to shape a more inclusive society.  

Ask a Social Scientist: Associate Professor Siobhan O'Sullivan with former student Eleanor Booth

“I think the idea for that business and the work that we do… was born in Power and Policy, the subject Siobhan taught me.”
Associate Professor Siobhan O’Sullivan, Associate Professor, UNSW School of Social Sciences with former student Eleanor Booth, Managing Director and Founder, For-Purpose Evaluations.

UNSW Master of Development Studies

Ask a Social Scientist: Professor Jan Breckenridge with former student Angela Griffin

“We don’t want to just sit and theoretically discuss issues – we want change.”

Professor Jan Breckenridge, Head of School, UNSW School of Social Sciences and Co-Convenor, UNSW Gendered Violence Research Network with former student Angela Griffin, EDI and Project Coordinator Arc@UNSW and Research Assistant, UNSW Gendered Violence Research Network.
UNSW Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences (Honours) in Politics and International Relations.

Ask a Social Scientist: Dr Maree Higgins with former student Danya Schonberger

"Everything that I’ve learnt here is integral to my social work practice.”                                                                      

Dr Maree Higgins, Senior Lecturer, UNSW School of Social Sciences with former student Danya Schonberger, Community Engagement Facilitator, Junction Neighbourhood Centre.
UNSW Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Bachelor of Social Research and Policy.

Ask a Social Scientist: Dr William Clapton with former student Thomas Corben

“I really appreciate UNSW’s ability to meld deep institutional and theoretical knowledge… with ways of applying that practically in a real-world setting.”
Dr William Clapton, Senior Lecturer, UNSW School of Social Sciences with former student Thomas Corben, Research Associate, United States Study Centre, University of Sydney.
UNSW Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences (Honours) in Politics and International Relations.

Ask a Social Scientist: Associate Professor Melanie White with former student Maya Ghattas

“[The] educators at UNSW really transformed the way that I think about the world... I’ll take that with me for the rest of my life.”

Associate Professor Melanie White, Deputy Head of School (Education), UNSW School of Social Sciences with former student Maya Ghattas, Producer, GARUWA.
UNSW Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences (Honours) in Sociology and Anthropology.