The Applied Social Science Group provides a forum for research exploring patient experiences, contexts and health behaviours in their social context 1 of 3
Bringing together social science methods, approaches and ideas to understand and contribute to medical practice and public health 2 of 3
Current projects located in the ASSG include study of the relationship between infant mental health and later physical health in adulthood, funded by the Wellcome Trust 3 of 3
The Applied Social Science Group (ASSG) was established within the Primary Care Unit in 2016, and is headed by Professor Robbie Duschinsky. Our work has three main strands:
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Leading grant-funded interdisciplinary studies addressing the integration of health and social care, with a particular focus on mental health, family relationships and safeguarding.
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Teaching social science research, methods and theory within the Cambridge Clinical School, recognised for excellence by the University of Cambridge.
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Contributing social science input to other research within the Primary Care Unit.
Our teaching and research are highly collaborative. Crucial to both is the involvement from experts-by-experience and clinicians. The policy-relevance and impact of our research also benefits from ongoing collaboration with the National Children’s Bureau.
Our work is guided by some core values:
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We operate with kindness and sincerity in interactions with colleagues, collaborators and all our stakeholders.
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Attention to inequalities, intersectionality, and diversity and inclusion informs all our work.
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We don’t take anything for granted about the current state of services for children and families in our research, or the current state of medical education in our teaching.
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We are focused on change: we conduct research and teaching to improve outcomes for patients and service-users. At the same time, we are respectful of the context and pressures that have shaped how people currently think and act, and how institutions are currently organised.
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Building for the future is a core purpose for the group, especially in supporting early career researchers and practitioners working with children and families.
COACHES is a study of mental health care for children and young people with social work involvement.
A Collaborative Award in Medical Humanities from Wellcome (2020-2025) is supporting research into the impact of health and social care assessments on children and families.
Applied Social Science Group News
Five things I valued most during my placement year with the University of Cambridge
This blog was written by Dihini Pilimatalawwe, a final year undergraduate student at the University of Bath studying psychology. Dihini…
Laura Mucha is new Children’s Author in Residence at the Primary Care Unit
Poet, author and children’s advocate Laura Mucha is joining Professor Robbie Duschinsky and the Applied Social Science Group as Children’s…
Robbie Duschinsky appointed Professor of Social Science and Health
Robbie Duschinsky has been appointed Professor of Social Science and Health at the Department of Public Health and Primary Care,…
Dr Tessa Morgan is researching young people’s experiences of the mental health system at the Primary Care Unit. She completed…
A ground-breaking new research collaboration launches today to transform mental health and wellbeing support received by children and young people…