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.

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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