Advance the discipline and engage critically with pressing social issues on our PhD in Sociology programmes. Join a supportive group of leading sociologists working across a range of topics.Our Sociology PhD empowers students to explore critical and contemporary social issues.This provides a rich environment to develop ideas and make research contributions within our discipline and beyond.You'll conduct innovative theoretical and empirical research with internationally recognised scholars.At Newcastle you'll find a group of research-active staff across a range of specialisms in:SociologySocial Anthropologythe Sociology of CrimeWe also have strong interdisciplinary links particularly with anthropology, health studies, geography, migration studies, gender studies and politics.We carry out research with high social impact and work closely with policymakers and practitioners. Recent PhD students have carried out studies on topics including:post-disaster livelihoodssex traffickingself-harmhigher educationgay and lesbian familiesfemale identities in African and Middle Eastern societiesnew religions in post-socialist Europesocial class and everyday food practicesexperiences of migrant communitiesWith our support you'll make your own original contribution.We're part of the ESRC-funded NINE Doctoral Training Partnership, which runs an annual competition for PhD studentships.Our MA in Sociology and Social Research offers intensive research training for candidates considering pursuing a PhD. This is especially for those thinking about applying for NINE DTP funding.Research clusters provide an intellectual focus for the development and exchange of ideas. They focus on issues such as:inequalities and power healthgender and sexualities historiesfutures community engagement