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About CSPS

25 Years of Social Policy

Who we are

The Centre for Social Policy Studies was established in 1996 at the University of Ghana  to influence social policymaking and practice through research, teaching and advocacy. 

Through social policy research, the centre provides empirical evidence for policy interventions to improve the well-being of all people, including the socially and economically disadvantaged. 

In addition to research, the centre builds the capacity of researchers, practitioners and advocates through its teaching programs. Beginning with the introduction of the MA in Social Policy Studies in 2007, the centre now offers a PhD degree in Social Policy Studies, as well as a Masters in Research and Public Policy (MRPP) degree.  Our short courses and seminars extent CSPS training to the general public. 

Our alumni include ministers of state, directors of government departments, CEOs of companies, assembly members, development practitioners, among many others. 

What we do

 

Social policy is the roadmap for social development that ultimately results in the social wellbeing of all members of the population. At CSPS, we conceive of social policy as having four main functions:  protection, redistribution, production and reproduction, and social cohesion.

 

At CSPS, our research examines the politicsprocesses, implementation and impacts of social policymaking. 

 

Social policy discourse and research often focuses on the sectors of education, health, employment, housing and social protection. We  focus on these central areas of social policy and other  aspects of human lives that are important for the well-being of individuals, families and communities, with special attention to frequently marginalized groups such as children, women, young people and the poor.

 

Our multidisciplinary group of researchers apply rigorous quantitative, qualitative and mixed method approaches to a wide range of social policy issues. Our expertise include social protection, poverty and inequality, inclusive development, rural development, sustainable livelihoods, child rights, youth employment, women’s empowerment, gender equality, participatory community development, intergenerational income mobility, taxation of informal workers, philanthropy and volunteerism, civil society advocacy and activism, and the politics of development policymaking. 

 

We have carried out collaborative projects and commissioned research for DFID, the Government of Ghana, Star Ghana, UNECA, UNICEF, World Bank and World Vision, among others. 

Faculty & Staff