97 Social Sciences Dissertation Topics for Students

Social Sciences Dissertation Topics

When it comes to social sciences, choosing a dissertation topic can feel like standing in front of a giant library with endless shelves. The subject is wide, covering everything from psychology to sociology, politics, anthropology, education, and human behaviour. The good news? You don’t need to waste time digging through countless books and journals—I’ve pulled together 97 thought-provoking dissertation ideas that could spark your next big research project.

Sociology Dissertation Topics

• The impact of remote work on social interactions and family life.
• How social media influences teenage identity formation.
• Gender roles in modern advertising campaigns.
• Social consequences of gentrification in urban areas.
• The rise of minimalism and its link to consumer culture.
• Changing family structures and their effect on children’s wellbeing.
• The role of religion in shaping youth attitudes today.
• Public opinion on climate activism across different age groups.
• Social inequality and access to higher education.
• The effect of mass migration on host communities.

Psychology Dissertation Topics

• The relationship between sleep patterns and student academic performance.
• How mindfulness training affects workplace productivity.
• Social anxiety among university students in group learning.
• The psychology of procrastination in young adults.
• Body image pressures linked to Instagram filters.
• Personality traits and their connection to leadership style.
• Parental attachment and resilience in teenagers.
• The role of humour in stress management.
• Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution in teams.
• The psychological effects of childhood bullying in later life.

Anthropology Dissertation Topics

• The cultural meaning of tattoos in different societies.
• How food rituals shape group identity.
• Marriage traditions in rural communities vs. urban centres.
• The anthropology of digital nomads.
• Cross-cultural perspectives on ageing and elder care.
• Globalisation’s influence on indigenous languages.
• Rituals of death and mourning across cultures.
• The role of traditional clothing in preserving cultural identity.
• Urban festivals and their social significance.
• Ethnographic study of online gaming communities.

Political Science Dissertation Topics

• The role of women in peace negotiations.
• How populism affects democratic institutions.
• Social media as a tool for political campaigns.
• Political trust and its decline among young voters.
• The effectiveness of global sanctions in changing state behaviour.
• Comparative study of voter turnout in developed vs. developing nations.
• The role of fake news in shaping political decisions.
• Immigration policy debates in Western Europe.
• International organisations and climate policy enforcement.
• The politics of water scarcity in South Asia.

Education Dissertation Topics

• The benefits of bilingual education in primary schools.
• Impact of online classes on children’s attention span.
• Teacher feedback and student motivation in secondary schools.
• How gamification influences learning outcomes.
• Role of parental involvement in academic achievement.
• The effectiveness of inclusive education for children with learning disabilities.
• Peer influence in shaping classroom behaviour.
• The use of technology to improve literacy rates.
• Cultural diversity and its influence on teaching strategies.
• The role of extracurricular activities in academic performance.

Criminology Dissertation Topics

• The link between unemployment and crime rates.
• Rehabilitation vs. punishment: which reduces reoffending?
• How media coverage influences public perception of crime.
• The effectiveness of community policing strategies.
• Cybercrime and its impact on small businesses.
• Juvenile justice systems: a comparison of two countries.
• The role of family background in youth criminal behaviour.
• Hate crimes and social media platforms.
• Effectiveness of prison education programmes.
• Drug policy reforms and their social outcomes.

Gender Studies Dissertation Topics

• The portrayal of women in leadership roles in films.
• Gender bias in sports media coverage.
• The role of feminism in reshaping workplace policies.
• Masculinity in contemporary advertising.
• Gendered experiences of mental health care.
• LGBTQ+ representation in popular TV shows.
• Wage gap debates and workplace transparency.
• Gender stereotypes in children’s toys.
• Women’s activism and its impact on law reform.
• Body politics and social expectations.

International Relations Dissertation Topics

• How global pandemics reshape foreign policy.
• International aid effectiveness in disaster zones.
• The role of soft power in diplomatic relations.
• Trade wars and their impact on developing countries.
• Human rights discourse in international agreements.
• Refugee crises and international responsibility-sharing.
• Nuclear deterrence strategies in the 21st century.
• The rise of regionalism in global politics.
• Technology as a tool of global diplomacy.
• Climate change negotiations and power dynamics.

Economics within Social Sciences Dissertation Topics

• The gig economy’s impact on job security.
• Social implications of universal basic income.
• Economic inequality and its role in political unrest.
• The economics of fast fashion and sustainability.
• How global inflation affects student living standards.
• Microfinance as a tool for poverty reduction.
• The economics of renewable energy adoption.
• Tax evasion and its social consequences.
• Economic migration and its impact on sending countries.
• Household debt and mental health.

Media and Communication Dissertation Topics

• Fake news and digital literacy among young people.
• How podcasts shape public debate.
• The influence of TikTok trends on youth behaviour.
• Representation of minority voices in mainstream media.
• The ethics of influencer marketing.
• Media bias and its impact on elections.
• The rise of citizen journalism in global crises.

Final Thoughts

Your dissertation is more than just an academic requirement—it’s a chance to dig into a topic that genuinely interests you. Social sciences open the door to studying real-world issues that affect people’s lives every day, whether it’s politics, media, psychology, or education. Pick one of these 97 topics, and you could be on your way to research that not only helps you earn your degree but also adds valuable insight into how our societies work.