Small-screen sociology

Leading academics in sociology met at Liverpool University this week for a conference to celebrate the centenary of the university's department of sociology, social policy and social work studies.

The two-day event focused on the public role of sociology since the foundation of the department 100 years ago, including a speech by Phil Redmond, head of Mersey Television and a Liverpool graduate, on how his studies influenced television series Grange Hill and Brookside .