Research in Sociology

Postgraduate research

Postgraduate Research Convenor
Dr Matthew Waites

There are currently over 40 postgraduate research students undertaking sociological research at the University of Glasgow, dealing with subjects across the discipline.

Our postgraduate community is particularly cosmopolitan, bringing together students from various international contexts with others who have progressed through our own undergraduate programmes, and funded in a wide range of ways, including by ESRC and ASRF scholarships, by international organizations and through doctoral awards tied to dedicated research projects. We support students studying both full-time and part-time. We have developed a number of effective ways of providing support to our PhD students, including:

  • The yearly Sociology seminar series, which offers a diverse programme, bringing internationally recognised speakers to Glasgow, but also providing a supportive yet critical context in which postgraduate students can present their first papers and findings;
  • The annual 24-hours away day, held outside of Glasgow, and allowing students and staff to present and discuss their work in a congenial atmosphere;
  • Individual postgraduate review panels at which the Head of Subject, Postgraduate Coordinator and individual supervisors can meet to discuss progress with each student.

Each full time student is entitled to:

  • Dedicated office space
  • A computer and full IT support
  • Telephone and photocopying facilities
  • Access to unrivalled library facilities

Supervision for PhDs

We provide supervision in all the areas in which we work, including: crime, justice and security; racism and anti-racism; disabilities; health and illness; drug use; gender and sexualities; consumption and 'risk'; gambling; media research; social theory; cultural studies.

Further details about staff expertise can be found on our staff profile pages and project pages.  We are active supporters of interdisciplinary research and most staff are involved in providing supervision to students alongside colleagues from other disciplines.

How to apply