What is social science? A social life of antibiotics view

In this video we hear from Professor Alex Broom from School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney in Australia.

Social science is the study of society and the manner in which people behave and influence the world around us, this includes the relationships among individuals, and how these might affect or be affected by the world around us.

Social science covers a broad range of disciplines – including economics, social anthropology, politics and international relations, sociology and social work.

Social science research can provide vital, contextual information to governments, policy makers, local-authorities, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders about the determinants of health, illness and healthcare delivery and use.

In the video Professor Alex Broom discusses:

• Thinking about antimicrobial resistance in terms of the social life of antibiotics.
• How a social science approach can enhance our understanding of some of the behavioural drivers for antibiotic misuse.
• The types of questions that social science can help us to answer.

Further information on the application of social sciences is available on the ESRC website and Public Health England Improving People’s Health Behavioural Strategy.

In the comments below please let us know:

• Before starting this course, what was your understanding of the use of social science in AMS?
• How has this changed so far?

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