# Discourse Unit

> international research group

**Wikidata**: [Q5281751](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5281751)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discourse-unit

## Summary
The Discourse Unit is an international research group and research institute based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1999 and headquartered at the University of Manchester, it is dedicated to the fields of social science and subjectivity. The organization is also known by its formal alias: the Centre for Qualitative and Theoretical Research on the Reproduction and Transformation of Language, Subjectivity and Practice.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Research institute and international research group.
- **Headquarters:** University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
- **Inception:** 1999.
- **Fields of Work:** Social science and subjectivity.
- **Official Alias:** Centre for Qualitative and Theoretical Research on the Reproduction and Transformation of Language, Subjectivity and Practice.
- **Website:** http://www.discourseunit.com
- **External Identifiers:** Freebase ID (/m/027g62p); Wikidata reference available.

## FAQs
### Q: Where is the Discourse Unit located?
A: The Discourse Unit is headquartered at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

### Q: When was the Discourse Unit founded?
A: The research group was established in 1999.

### Q: What are the primary research interests of the Discourse Unit?
A: The organization focuses on social science, specifically concerning subjectivity, and operates as a centre for qualitative and theoretical research on the reproduction and transformation of language and practice.

## Why It Matters
The Discourse Unit serves as a significant node in the landscape of qualitative social science research. By anchoring its work in the "reproduction and transformation of language, subjectivity and practice," the institute addresses complex psychological and sociological mechanisms that shape human experience. Its establishment in 1999 provided a dedicated institutional space for these specific theoretical inquiries within a major UK university setting.

As an "international research group," it facilitates collaboration that extends beyond local boundaries, reinforcing the global nature of discourse analysis and qualitative research. Its specific focus on subjectivity distinguishes it from broader social science institutes, offering specialized resources and a hub for scholars investigating the intersection of language and the self.

## Notable For
- **Specific Theoretical Focus:** Distinguished by its dedication to the complex intersection of language, subjectivity, and practice.
- **Descriptive Alias:** Known for a highly specific official name: *Centre for Qualitative and Theoretical Research on the Reproduction and Transformation of Language, Subjectivity and Practice*.
- **Institutional Base:** Operating under the association of the University of Manchester.
- **Longevity:** Active in the field since its inception in 1999.

## Body

### Organizational Profile
The Discourse Unit is classified as a research institute. It operates primarily as an organization dedicated to research rather than education or commercial enterprise. It holds the designation of an "international research group," indicating a scope of operation or membership that crosses national borders, though it maintains a physical presence in the United Kingdom.

### Research and Focus
The institute's work is grounded in **social science**. A core component of its inquiry is **subjectivity**.

The full scope of its mission is encapsulated in its long-form name: the **Centre for Qualitative and Theoretical Research on the Reproduction and Transformation of Language, Subjectivity and Practice**. This title suggests a methodology that combines qualitative empirical work with theoretical frameworks to understand how language and social practices are maintained (reproduced) and changed (transformed) over time.

### Location and History
- **Inception:** The entity was established in **1999**.
- **Headquarters:** The institute is based at the **University of Manchester** in the United Kingdom.
- **Online Presence:** The organization maintains a digital presence at `http://www.discourseunit.com`.