Overview

You'll join a lively and supportive group of leading sociologists. This provides a rich environment to grow your own ideas and make a major research contribution within our discipline and beyond. Our PhD in Sociology programme supports students to explore social issues and debates. You'll have opportunities to conduct innovative theoretical and empirical research to a high international standard.

At Newcastle you'll find a group of research-active staff across a range of specialisms in Sociology and Social Anthropology. We have strong interdisciplinary links particularly with anthropology, health studies, geography and politics. Research at Newcastle is world-leading. We have a reputation for impact and relevance for policy and practice.

You will join us in:

• sophisticated theoretical and conceptual work that redefines the core concerns of sociology, especially through inter- and trans-disciplinary conversations;
• empirical investigations that expand state-of-the-art knowledge about important social issues
• meaningful forms of social engagement that help to inform policy and public debates through the research process

Our PhD students have generated cutting edge research on a wide range of topics:

• from ethnographic studies of post-disaster livelihoods to sex trafficking and self-harm
• from higher education and underemployment to gay and lesbian families
• from female identities in African and Middle Eastern societies to new religions in post-socialist Europe
• from the relationship between social class and everyday food practices to the experiences of migrant communities.

With our support you'll make your own original contribution.

We're recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for PhD training. We're also part of the ESRC-funded NINE Doctoral Training Partnership which runs an annual competition for PhD studentships.

Your development

You'll have the opportunity to:

• lead and deliver special events and workshops, seminar series, reading groups and conferences.
• be involved in the organisation and development of sociology's research clusters
• develop a mixed portfolio of research and training skills through contributions to our teaching programme and other disciplinary activities.
• get involved with our fantastic postgraduate Sociology

Your future

A PhD deepens your understanding of the social world and enriches your methodological skills. It is the route into academic research careers but will also prepare you for a range of professional roles across the public, private and third sector.