Postgraduate research in the School of Social and Political Sciences is informed by the expertise of its team of academics, who have long-standing links to government, research organisations, and the voluntary sector. Opportunities for research are available across a range of topics in social and political sciences. Current students' research projects include: -Oil and gas infrastructure security problems in the Niger Delta area -Understanding China's aid and investment in Zambia -The politics of nuclear energy in the European Union. Each research student is supported by a programme of research training and will be expected to identify an original area of academically relevant research and agree an approved programme of research with the tutor. Current students' areas of research include Sino-Zambian relations, preventive diplomacy and peacekeeping.