The Social Policy Association (SPA) is a learned society and charity. Our purpose is to advance the teaching, research, and dissemination of knowledge in the field of social policy, and to represent the interests of our members. The SPA was founded in 1972 and we have a large membership in the UK and internationally.

We are committed to the principles of integrity, inclusiveness, openness and transparency.

 

Strategic goals 2024-2029

1. Promote the identity of social policy as an academic endeavour, shaping the
agenda in research and teaching and learning.

2. Maximise the impact of social policy for the public good and raise public
awareness of its contribution to society.

3. Support opportunities for members to engage with each other and to further
the aims of the SPA, within their institutions, the wider academy and society.

4. Support opportunities for members to engage with policy-makers and other
policy stakeholders in order to contribute to wider policy debates.

5. Strengthen the SPA through building membership and networks inside and
outside Higher Education, in the UK and internationally.

6. Support the development of the next generation of social policy researchers,
teachers and practitioners.

7. Ensure that the SPA is governed effectively and maintains a sustainable
financial position.

 

Our membership

Most of our members are teachers and researchers in social policy and applied social science within UK higher education, although our members are drawn from every continent. Some of our members are based in the public, third or other sectors. As an outward-looking association we seek to engage in global aspects of social policy and with scholars residing outside of as well as within the UK.