Course Overview

This degree is for those who want to engage critically, practically and creatively with global and local environmental problems by developing their own research expertise related to the intersection of the environment and society. We currently have staff who research a range of issues including the implications of the declaration of a new geological epoch of the Anthropocene, sustainable innovations in farming practices, the challenge of decarbonising transport mobilities to reduce carbon emissions and how social dynamics can become more central in discussions of energy demand. This work is often marked by engagement with theoretical concepts from Science and Technologies Studies, mobilities research, and practice theories.

You will join an international and interdisciplinary community with students working on PhDs in Sociology, Gender and Women’s Studies, Science Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Applied Social Science. You will be assigned PhD supervisors (usually two), and consideration will be taken to match you with supervisor(s) whose current active research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen topic. Close working relations are enjoyed with other departments at Lancaster, and in some cases, there is cross-departmental supervision.

Students on this PhD have the opportunity to enjoy close links with the Centre for the Study of Environmental Change, Lancaster Environment Centre and the Centre for Science Studies.

A programme of skills and dissertation workshops designed specifically for postgraduate students within the Sociology Department runs throughout the year.

In addition, you are encouraged to attend any relevant MA taught modules, but are not required to take any for credit as part of your degree.