Establishment and subject field

The Department of Social Policy is a new and innovative Department that has been operating since the 2004-2005 academic year. It comes from the division of the Department of Social Policy and Social Anthropology – pursuant to Presidential Decree 106/2004 – which had been founded in 1989 by virtue of Presidential Decree 377/89, and had been operating since the 1990-1991 academic year. It counts over 30 years of successful operation, with distinguished faculty members having served in these three decades, including Professor Dimitrios Tsaousis, Department founder; Professor Loukia Mousourou; Professor Kyriaki Kasimati, who recently received the Academy of Athens award; Professor Savas Robolis; Professor Olga Stasinopoulou; and Professor Antonis Moysidis. They left behind their legacy, evidenced by the excellent quality of studies, the respect for science and the moral code that must govern all university departments.

Social Policy refers to the organised intervention of the state and policy-making bodies, with the aim of regulating social reproduction, addressing social inequalities and reinforcing social cohesion and solidarity, through identifying and meeting needs on a personal and collective level. Another very important goal is to achieve social prosperity through redistribution of wealth and opportunities.

As a field of study, Social Policy is a modern, interdisciplinary field, at the heart of political and social developments, which tackles the major social problems, analyses social policy-making structures through research, and teaches them at a local, national, European and international level.

Aim and Mission

The aim of the Department is to equip students with profound knowledge in social theory, social and economic development, the social history of Greece and Europe, the sociology of change and the urban environment, the geography of the rural environment, demographics, and social and non-organised collective interventions in the areas of employment, social security, labour and social relations, income, health, reduction of inequalities, social exclusion, integration of vulnerable groups, social rights, gender, education, migration, families, housing, social movements and the environment.

The key mission of the Department is to provide students with the required skills and knowledge for their integration in the labour market.

Career prospects for graduates

The Department graduates may work in:

public and private research centres,

local government institutes,

survey organisations and departments,

public services and public utility companies,

administrative regions, prefectural administrations and local government,

legal entities governed by public or private law,

European and international organisations,

non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civic society organisations responsible for social protection and intervention issues,

private organisations involved in preparing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating social policy, social planning and social development projects,

human resource departments (staff policies, labour relations, professional training, health and safety, social security, etc.) of public and private organisations,

public and private education.

The Department offers a postgraduate study programme, “Analysis and Implementation of Social Policy”, established pursuant to Government Gazette 2704/09.07.2018, decision no. 58, which attracts major interest.

The Department also includes the following Labs:

  • Social Policy Lab
  • Gender Studies Lab
  • Social Statistics and Data Analysis Lab