The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is a centre of outstanding and internationally competitive research in the social and behavioural sciences.

The foundations of the research lie in a strong socio-scientific, multi-methodological approach. Mono-disciplinary research within the Institutes is the cornerstone of the first-rate research within the faculty. In addition, multi-disciplinary research is developing at a rapid rate and is an important pillar for the future, with enormous benefits for both science and society.

The 5 Institutes together make up the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences all engage with the issues of human functioning, but each from the perspective of their own specific expertise:

Centre for Science and Technology Studies

They explore the dynamics of scientific research and the links between science and technology, innovation and society. This means that academic, scientific research is itself the object of research and is studied from a scientific perspective. 

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Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology

Studies the everyday practice of individuals, groups and communities worldwide and at home to situate them within the complex processes of social and global change. In Leiden, we specialise in the impact of globalisation on environment, equity and economy, and the ethnographic analysis of visual and material culture.

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Education and Child Studies

Emphasizes the educa­tional study of normal and deviant developmental pathways as they vary across and within cultures and ethnic groups. In a culturally diverse environment, developmental psychopathology cannot be fruitfully studied without an explicit cultural perspective.

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Political Science

The research expertise of the Institute of Political Science is in the areas of Comparative Politics, Dutch Politics, International Relations, Political Psychology, Political Theory, Public Policy and Research Methodology.

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Psychology

The Institute of Psychology stimulates leading international research. The institute has a large number of research projects, all of which are of outstanding quality.

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