The Sociology of Work Unit (SWOP), now referred to as the Society, Work and Development Institute, is a research organisation, which is housed at the University of the Witwatersrand.

SWOP was established in 1983 as a post doctoral project of Professor Edward Webster as a result of researching working conditions in foundries. Having analysed the records of the Iron Moulders Society, which indicated a very high incidence of respiratory diseases caused by the dust, he came to the conclusion that the way work is organised affects the health of workers. At the time Professor Webster was approached by a group of young engineering students as to whether there could be a collaboration to analyse the technical side of work. This led to the set up of the Sociology of Work Project (SWOP), linked to the NGO, the Technical Advice Group(TAG) that the students had set up.

SWOP grew from strength to strength. In 1995 it was established as a Unit but kept the acronym. In the late 1990s research was broadened, in order to focus beyond work to look at the relationship between work and society, as well as broader issues of economic and social development. And in 2007, when the University recognised SWOP as an Institute, the name was changed to "Society, Work and Development Institute", to reflect more accurately its broader focus. Nevertheless, it was felt that, since it had become known as SWOP, it should retain this brand name and call itselves the SWOP Institute.