Research courses
We are developing the next generation of empirical sociologists, through broadly-based and methodologically rigorous applied sociological research training. We also provide a vibrant, intellectually stimulating and supportive environment for our postgraduate research students.
What we are researching
Criminology and criminal justice
- Asset recovery, organised and syndicated crime
- Community, neighbourhood and intelligence-led policing
- Cyber and criminal justice system
- Criminal statistics
- Early intervention, anti-social behaviour and social control
- Ethnicity, community and identity
- Human rights
- Meta-analysis and realist evaluation techniques
- Methods for researching crime
- Prison effects and interventions with offenders
- Racism and hate crime
- Technology and surveillance, securitisation and biometrics
- Victims of crime and victimisation
- Youth justice
Developments in methodology
- Methodological research
- Development of social simulation methodology,
- Improvement of social measurement in social survey research
- Dissemination of good practice
- Analysis of the use made by researchers of qualitative data analysis software.
- Development and refinement of techniques of secondary analysis (both quantitative and qualitative)
- New online and web-based research methods
- Triangulation and exploring the complexities of multi-method methodologies in sociology
Digital societies
- Emerging technologies
- Data and platforms in contemporary mediated societies
- Datafication
- Platforms
- Internet of things
- Intersections of society
- Digital technology
- Youth cultures
- Peer-to-peer production
- Digital health
Science, environment and technologies
- Sociological frameworks
- Contemporary communications technologies
- Applications of computational technologies in the social and natural sciences
- Sociology of the environment and sustainability
- Sociology of knowledge production, dissemination and consumption in diverse settings cuts across these substantive foci
- Theoretical development and the explication of new methodological approaches
- Novel scientific and technological developments
Identities, diversities and the life course
- Childhood
- Community and belonging
- Environmental practices
- Ethnicities, race and migrations
- Gender
- Generation and transition
- Health and well-being
- Later life and ageing.
- Sexual identities
- Sociology of sleep
- Student identities
- Youth subcultures
Find a course
We have a strong postgraduate research community, diverse research centres and a host of research training activities.
Find out more about applying to Surrey.
Studentships
South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) studentship
Funding information:
Awards cover UK tuition fees and provide a stipend at the UKRI home rate on a full-time and part-time basis.The UKRI has not yet announced the fees and stipend for 2025/26, but for the academic year of 2024/25 the UK fees are £4,786 and the stipend is £19,237 (£21,237 if London weighting applies).This competition-funded studentship is available to UK and International students and includes full UK or International fee waiver and stipend at UKRI rates.Surrey School of Social Sciences PhD studentship
Funding information:
Fee waiver covering home or international fees for 36 months. Please note that this offer does not include a monthly stipend, visa or accommodation fees.Further your studies
Full-time postgraduate research students have the opportunity to take modules from our MSc Social Research Methods and can attend in-house short courses, covering topics such as computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS).
Expert support
Our Doctoral College supports the academic and professional development of postgraduate researchers to ensure our world-leading research continues to grow. There is also an extensive Researcher Development Programme run at university level.
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