The School of Applied Management supports a strong research culture and delivers diverse, innovative research across the subject areas of Business and Management and Property and Construction.

Business and Management

Research in the area of business and management covers a variety of subjects organised across the following subject areas:

  • Digital business research focuses on digital technologies and their business applications on business models, operational processes, stakeholder communications and engagement. The research in the area includes e-business, decision making, support systems and social innovation.
  • Information management focuses on the organisational application of information and communication technologies. It includes emerging digital technologies, social media, information modelling, knowledge management, technology, and innovation management.
  • Operations management focuses on the design and control of production and the redesign of business operations to achieve high efficiency, maximising profit. The research in the area includes supply chain management, performance management, lean manufacturing, operations strategy and operational complexity
  • Project management is the application of processes, methods, expertise and knowledge in realising a project’s objectives. Our research in this area includes complexity and risk.

Property and Construction

Research in property and construction covers a wide range of activities. While we are interested in every aspect of research in the field, there are particular areas we specialise in. These include property valuation, construction and project management, construction economics, and energy use in buildings.

  • Research into the technical aspects of construction concerns the role of building services and design technology for low carbon building. Other research is concerned with fibre-reinforced concrete, passive solar design, building conservation and energy issues of the built environment.
  • In property and planning, our recent research has focused on business improvement districts, the use of taxation in sustainable development, and property and development finance. Property research has also focused on commercial leases and rent reviews.
  • Our construction management research focuses on incentivisation schemes in project management, risk management of projects and project finance.
  • Research in construction economics has been in infrastructure markets, construction labour, international construction and economic theory applied to the construction sector.

How to apply

For all enquiries, please contact our PhD Coordinator Dr Alireza Nazarian via email at .

You can find more information about study options on our Mode of study page.

PhD via MPhil 

The majority of students will apply via the PhD via MPhil route. You can read more about the application process and entry requirements on our How to apply page. 

PhD by published work

If you intend to apply for a PhD by Published Work please refer to the information on our PhD by published work page as the application process differs from the normal MPhil/PhD. Before applying, you should first make contact with the relevant academic for an informal discussion of your publications. You should only submit a formal application at this stage.

Apply now

Apply for the following subjects

  • Business Information Management
  • Operations Management
  • Property and Construction
  • Property Management

Apply to our research degrees using the links below. 

You'll be able to select your subject area in the 'Supporting Information' section of the application form. 

September 2024 start 

January 2025 start 

Studentships

The Graduate School and each of the academic schools at the University of Westminster are committed to doctoral programmes which encourage and make possible excellent research. As part of this, we are committed to offering a range of studentships. 

Find out about current studentships being offered across the university on our Studentships page.

Current research funded projects

  • Community-led Upgrading for Self-Reliance in South Africa: Integrated Construction and Environmental Management Systems in Informal Settlements
    Funder: ESRC
    Partners: University College London, University of KwaZulu-Natal, uTshani Fund, EcoLtd, eThekwini Municipality in Durban
    2016-2020
    Budget: £500k
    Website: www.isulabantu.org
  • Royal Society Newton Advanced Fellowship “Building Urban Resilience for Self-Reliance in African Cities”
    Partners: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban South Africa
    2016-2020
    Budget: £111k

Research centres and groups