Interested in studying for a research degree?
MPhil, MPhil/PhD, PhD and Professional Doctorate awards are offered for individuals wishing to study full-time or part-time for a research degree in a topic which is relevant to their own personal/professional development or the development of their profession/subject area. Research in the School of Applied Social Science covers a wide range of social science disciplines and is often, therefore, multidisciplinary in nature. Research students work alongside academic staff within and across three main thematic research areas:
As well as looking at the work in each of these clusters, potential applicants can look at the research interests of the individual supervisors (see below for list of currently registered supervisors).
The research study programme undertaken will be unique to each student and will be supported and guided by a supervisory team that will have expertise and knowledge in the subject area. There are opportunities for students to engage within the research culture of the school though participation in the activities of the research clusters (above), the regular research seminar series (Social Science Forum) and a separate series of seminars for postgraduate students. There is also an annual Student Presentation Day that all research students attend to present their research to the school. Subject to discussion with the supervisory team, there may also be opportunities for research students to gain teaching experience within the school.
As well as being an important part of the school's research culture, all postgraduate research students are members or honorary members of the University of Brighton Doctoral College. The Doctoral College champions a stimulating researcher development environment and connects the university's research community. The Doctoral College offers both students and supervisors practical support to achieve high and timely project completion.
See FAQs about the Professional Doctorate Programme on the School of Health Professions website.
Funding
School funding for studentships is available from time to time. Please contact Sallie White S.S.White@brighton.ac.uk for further information on the current situation.
Enquiries
Prospective students with a research topic in mind are encouraged to discuss their ideas with the relevant research cluster leader or the potential supervisor (see list below) in the first instance. Formal applications are made through the Doctoral College.
Research supervisors
- Dr Matthew Adams
- Dr Kepa Artaraz
- Professor Sue Balloch
- Professor Marian Barnes
- Mark Bhatti
- Dr Michael Cahill
- Dr Mary Darking
- Dr Mark Erickson
- Dr Hannah Frith
- Dr David Harley
- Professor Phil Haynes
- Professor Flis Henwood
- Dr Katherine Johnson
- Professor John Lea
- Dr Kanwal Mand
- Dr Denise Martin
- Dr Lynda Measor
- Dr Jayne Raisborough
- Professor Pete Squires
- Dr Dawn Stephen
- Dr Julia Stroud
- Dr Carl Walker
- Professor Diane Waller
- Dr Lizzie Ward
- Dr Paula Wilcox
Research topics of current students
Community-University Practice: Emerging spaces for change? (Ceri Davies)
'Becoming' a teenage mother in the UK (Kyla Ellis-Sloan)
Self-help in the Community (Esther Emanuel)
A psychosocial interrogation of serious leisure: a case study of equestrianism (Natassia Ewington-Rodgers)
Gender Crossing: Events which have shaped the process of transition from the male to the female gender (Stella Fremi)
Taking Therapy Outside: A narrative inquiry exploring counselling and psychotherapy in natural settings (Martin Jordan)
State-building and penal reform: a study of the prison service in Kosovo (Arben Lubach)
Study of the emotional dynamics involved in cadaveric organ and tissue donation (Ed Moreno)
Is social work transferrable between societies? (Jem Price)
Ageing, care and technology (Cara Redlich)
See more details on our current and past PhD students
