Website: https://www.housing-studies-association.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/housing-studies-association
Twitter/ X: https://x.com/HSA_UK
The Housing Studies Association is dedicated to advancing housing-related research, education and practice. As the leading learned society for housing studies, we foster a dynamic and inclusive network that connects researchers, students, policymakers and practitioners across disciplines. We champion rigorous scholarship, support the exchange of ideas and drive innovation in housing studies to inform policy and practice. Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, we strive to enhance understanding, improve education and contribute to solutions that shape better housing futures for all.
We have a focus on nurturing the research, policy and practice of those early in their career, and we offer a supportive environment for those of all stages interested in housing-related research. We’re run by a dedicated group of voluntary board members, who you can learn more about here.
Our annual conference
Our flagship event is our annual conference, held in-person in Sheffield each year in April, as well as the option of hybrid attendance. It attracts around 130 housing researchers and practitioners from across the globe. This year the conference theme is Households, Housing Research, Policy and Practice.
Please consider joining us for the Housing Studies Association annual conference, as we come together to share and discuss cutting-edge housing research and policy/practice issues during uncertain times for housing systems. The conference provides a forum for researchers, practitioners and policymakers to explore the complex connections between theory and practice, and problem-framing and problem-solving. We have asked our plenary speakers to think “outside the box” in addressing the topic of the household in housing-related research, theory and practice, and we’re sure that they will inspire you during the event and give you food for thought subsequently.
The conference ran in person from 14-16 April and will be online from 28-30 April. More details here.
Our annual Autumn Lecture
Another key event in our annual calendar is our online autumn lecture, which brings together a series of speakers around a current housing issue for an afternoon of exciting debate and discussion. In the past, we’ve covered topics such as housing education, housing activism and the role of the state in housing. Last year we focused on ‘engaging with policymakers’ and you can read more about the key takeaways from that lecture here. Information on our Autumn Lecture 2025 will be published shortly too.
Blog posts
The HSA blog is an active part of HSA, as a means for members to disseminate new and ongoing national and international research and activities relating to key housing issues. In the last year we’ve published numerous blog posts from members at various career stages and disciplines, including around issues of homelessness, experiences of the private rented sector and gentrification, to name but a few examples.
Member networks, directory and forum
New for this year are three research networks and a member directory and forum for members. These networks are:
- Early Career Researcher Network.
- LGBTQ+ Research and Practice Network.
- Healthy Homes Research Network.
These member-led networks bring together researchers and practitioners interested in these topics through a series of events (some online, some in-person/hybrid) to develop research communities, share findings in a supportive environment and help researchers connect with others with similar interests.
The member directory and forum are other new features for the HSA whereby you can find and expand your professional network through our Member Directory and Forum.
What do you get as a member?
- Members get reduced rates to all our events, and some other housing sector events with partner organisations:
- Discounted rates at the conference and access to additional bursaries for attendance
- Access to a growing number of member networks
- Free tickets to the annual Autumn Lecture
- Members can use the HSA blog to disseminate their own news, research, job opportunities, events and ideas
- Members can promote their research in HQM’s quarterly ‘Evidence’ newsletter and the HSA’s own monthly newsletter
- We provide a number of bursaries to support early career and unfunded housing researchers to attend our annual conference
- We’re pleased to run the Valerie Karn prize, rewarding the best early career paper at our annual conference
- As a learned society, we nominate members as fellows to the Academy of Social Sciences.
How to join
Modest membership fees are directly used to maintain and support ongoing HSA activities. Full membership is £25 per year (£11.50 for ECRs), we also have Associate Fellow and Fellow membership grades which existing members can apply for. You can join here.
