A Centre for Social Policy

The Centre for the Analysis of Social Policy (CASP) is one of the three centres attached to the Department for Social and Policy Sciences at the University of Bath.

The inter-disciplinary research centre explores a range of global social policy issues such as poverty and income maintenance, work and wages, inequalities, crime and substance use, societal structures and systems, health and well-being, and disabilities.

New Direction

Professor Rachel-Forrester Jones has been named as the new director of CASP, the role previously held by Professor Paul Gregg. Alongside her role at the University of Bath, Professor Forrester-Jones is a Senior Fellow of the National Institute of Health Research School for Social Care and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She is also a qualified barrister and is interested in legal issues in relation to vulnerable groups.

Professor Forrester-Jones previously led the Tizard Centre at the University of Kent, a research centre specialising in autism, intellectual disability and community care research. Professor Forrester-Jones is an honorary professor at the University of Kent.

Speaking about her new role, Professor Forrester-Jones says “I am delighted that I have been asked to become the Director of this interdisciplinary research centre that seeks to explore, understand and find solutions to major social issues affecting societies around the globe. It is an exciting prospect to work with CASP members who include anthropologists, criminologists, public health and social policy specialists, and sociologists. The University’s standing in social policy related research and teaching ranks among the best in the world. In this period of tangible political and socio-economic uncertainty, the difference our research can make to issues across the life course (including inequality and social exclusion) is immense. Our aim is to contribute to shaping social and public health policy based on evidence and robust good practice in the UK and internationally. Finally, I would like to thank my predecessor Professor Paul Gregg for his leadership of the Centre over the years. It is daunting to be taking over the position from such an outstanding figure in social theory and practice.”

Forthcoming events

To mark the appointment of its new director, CASP will hold a re-launch event at the University of Bath's Pall Mall site on 15 January 2020.

Baroness Judith Jolly, who has a specialist interest in health and social care, will chair the event, at which CASP members will outline their current research. The Centre’s plans and ideas for ground-breaking initiatives will also be introduced. The centre hopes to widen its network of associated and honorary members who play a key role in supporting the centre's activities as well as policy makers and influencers.

Anyone interested in finding out more about CASP and its activities can sign up to the mailing list by emailing casp@bath.ac.uk