The School of Humanities and Social Science provides a vibrant environment for doctoral study, with opportunities to work with leading researchers in your field and to make use of our excellent research facilities. It has a range of expertise in co-designed and creative research methodologies and methods, including work with older people, children, LGBT communities, Afghan migrants and those affected by chronic health conditions. We also carry out renowned research on social movements, gun control, sexualities and complexity in public policy.
We have nurtured partnerships with a range of organisations, locally nationally and internationally. For example, collaborative research into emotional and mental health is carried out with Sussex Partnership Trust and work on digital healthcare with ÃÛèÖÉçÇø and Sussex University Hospitals Trust and the ÃÛèÖÉçÇø and Sussex Medical School and clinical sites across five European countries. International collaborations include the Ageing and Communication Technologies International Partnership (ACT) on generational engagements with digital technologies and research on sensory engagements with space with universities in Finland and Slovenia (SENSOTRA). Our research attracts funding from AHRC, ESRC, Wellcome Trust, NIHR, ERC Horizon 2020, Alzheimer’s Society, the Independent Social Research Foundation and others.
As a Sociology PhD student, you will become an integral member of the School of Humanities and Social Science, contributing to the school’s research culture as well as joining its rapidly expanding and active group of research students. The school offers a range of social and research events and activities, including the Social Science Forum, a fortnightly opportunity for researchers to share their work and contribute to the development of each other’s research, an annual ‘Festival of Social Science’ for social scientists and their collaborators across the university, and an annual Social Science Public Lecture which is included in the ÃÛèÖÉçÇø Festival Fringe programme.
Researchers work collaboratively across three research groups in addressing challenges of social, health, psychological, spatial, and environmental injustice, seeking to transform policy and practice on global and more local scales.
Academic staff in the School of Humanities and Social Science have expertise in a range of research topics and research methodologies and foster that research within centres and groups. Of particular interest might be: