Politics - Research

Overview

Research and education in the School are driven by a concern to encourage innovative and critically incisive ways of thinking about a wide range of problems we encounter as citizens and as human beings.



The subjects we research in the School all contribute to the scholarly investigation of these challenges. The School is proud to be part of the driving force in Northern Ireland’s cultural, political and intellectual renaissance.



We pride ourselves on our global outlook within the School. This is reflected in our wide range of international partners and in the diverse nationalities represented across the staff and student bodies. The School hosts international visitors and speakers throughout each academic year and students benefit from the wide range of national and international topics being discussed and researched within the school.



About the Programme

The aim of the programme is to produce students who are fully-fledged independent researchers, and students are from the outset given encouragement to disseminate their work at seminars and conferences and by publishing in high-quality locations. The programme culminates in the submission of an 80,000-word dissertation.



The School has a strong international reputation for innovative research, across a wide range of specialist research strengths:

• Contemporary Irish Political History

• Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, public opinion, gender studies, governance.

• Security, Terrorism and International Relations.

• Political Theory, particularly green political thought, post-structuralism, democratic political theory and the politics of recognition.



In each of these, important and pioneering work has been published by members of staff and major projects of research are ongoing. In addition, the School is committed to the supervision of high-quality research students in all areas.



Research Resources

The Political Theory/Philosophy weekly research workshop; the Political Studies and International Relations seminar (student led); and the specialist centres listed below.



Mode of study/duration

Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).





Subject Summary

You’ll become part of our vibrant postgraduate research culture, focused on areas including;

• Political parties, elections, and deliberative democracy



• Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, international political economy, gender studies, governance.



• Contemporary Irish Political History



• Security, Terrorism and International Relations.



• Political Theory: contemporary republicanism, ethics of work, recognition, toleration, freedom of expression, Critical Theory, emotions and politics, green political thought. You’ll see our thriving research culture yourself, through visits and talks, conferences and workshops, reading groups and the staff seminar series.

Graduate

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

3 academic years full-time, 6 academic years part-time.

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects

For further information on career development opportunities at PhD level please contact the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Career Development Team on ahssdevoffice@qub.ac.uk / +44 28 9097 5175 Development Officer: Aileen Carson will be happy to provide further information on your research area career prospects.

Research information


Associated Research

Contemporary Irish Political History

Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, public opinion, gender studies, governance.

Security, Terrorism and International Relations

Philosophy, with a particular emphasis on metaphysics, philosophy of mind, logic, epistemology, moral and political philosophy

Political Theory, particularly green political thought, post-structuralism, democratic political theory and the politics of recognition.