Research

The School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages (SSHL) based in the historic Regent Street building offers a vibrant, multi-disciplinary research environment, at the centre of which are several innovative, high-quality research groups and programmes.

These include Asian Studies, English, Environmental Studies, French, History, Linguistics, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, Sociology, Visual Culture and Work and Social Policy.

The School also hosts a well-established MPhil/PhD programme with around 60 doctoral students enrolled.

Staff research and consultancy

Our internationally renowned staff are engaged in both theoretical and applied research covering a broad spectrum of disciplinary and multi-disciplinary themes and topics in the social sciences, humanities and languages. Staff are also involved in various knowledge transfer and consultancy activities with partner organisations in both the public and private sectors.

Research degrees

The School runs a well-established doctoral research programme offering supervision and research training in a dynamic learning environment in central London. At any one time, there are approximately 60 research students studying for MPhil and/or PhD, either full- or part-time.

Research facilities include dedicated doctoral research rooms and (computer) laboratories, and access to the University’s Library and inter-library services. Research students are an integral part of our research community and as such are invited to participate in our seminars, workshops, international symposia, conferences and public lectures.

The programme enjoys dedicated student facilities, a vibrant research culture and an advanced research training programme. The research environment includes regular research seminars, public lectures, international conferences and symposia, as well as the students’ own PhD workshops.

Students have free access to a wide network of libraries in and around London. The School’s well developed research training programme provides a structured course of formal training and personal development planning (PDP) designed to enable students to carry out high-quality, independent research projects, complete their MPhil or PhD on time, and to prepare for future (academic or professional) careers.

MPhil/PhD students also have free access to the School’s well-known modern languages programme Polylang, which offers foreign language courses and English courses (including English for Academic Purposes).

SSHL Research Student Forum

The School’s Research Student Forum (or SSHL PhD Course Committee) – which is open to all SSHL-based doctoral students – meets once per term. It serves as a forum to discuss the School’s research degree programme in general, and the nurturing of a student-led, vibrant and high-quality research culture in particular.

Research strategy and management

The various research areas and programmes listed above are hosted by the School’s seven Departments and Centres. At School level, research is managed through the SSHL Research Enterprise Knowledge Transfer Sub-Committee, which reports to the school board and the school executive group, and directly to committees of academic council where appropriate.

The sub-committee, which is chaired by the School Research Director, deals with both research degree and staff research matters, including strategic planning, policy implementation, annual monitoring, and staff/student research development. Reports will also be submitted to the school executive group to inform strategic and operational management.

Terms of reference

• To foster internally and to support the external presentation of a vibrant research culture within the School.
• To monitor support for research degree students across all areas of the School and to report on compliance with University policies, codes of practice, regulations and processes for research.
• To monitor and review progress against targets on the development of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).
• To enhance the standing of the School and University through exploitation of intellectual property, both for esteem and income generation purposes.
• To support and promote the direction the development of interdisciplinary platforms across School boundaries to develop feasible proposals and funding bids.
• To maintain an overview of the synergies between research and teaching and support cross-fertilisation between them at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• To review data and outcomes reports on research activity across the School, including those produced for internal audit and external audit such as HESA, QAA, RAE and Research Excellence Framework purposes.

Contacts

School Research Director

Professor Simon Joss
E: josss@westminster.ac.uk

Deputy School Research Director

Professor Debra Kelly
E: kellyd@westminster.ac.uk

Deputy School Research Director

Dr Tom Buchanan
E: T.Buchanan@westminster.ac.uk

General inquiries about applying for doctoral studies should go to Dr Tom Buchanan.