Pathway available at Bath, Bristol and Exeter
Sociology is the study of the organisation of society and the experiences of people as they navigate life. Of particular interest are the processes, practices and social structures that inhibit or enable opportunities for people and influence a range of outcomes, such as employment, education, wellbeing, health, crime, and lifestyles. The reproduction of society through cultural practices and how these shape identities is also a major strand of sociological thought. Sociologists employ a wide range of approaches from developing theoretical perspectives to empirical research using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
A core strength of the SWDTP is the broad range of topics that can be supported, both within the discipline of sociology and across disciplines, to involve other social sciences. These include: Crime, Violence and Policing; Culture and Ethics; Health and (well)Being; Inequalities, Marginality and Resistance; Mind and Materiality; and Science, Technology, Knowledge and Power. Academic staff working across SWDTP institutions also have methodological expertise in ethnography, participant observation, interviewing, focus groups, and an array of quantitative approaches including statistical modelling and computational social science.
Doctoral study within the SWDTP will enable you to develop both the theoretical and empirical skills necessary to engage in advanced sociological research into the issues affecting society both nationally and internationally. This can be the start of many different career paths and is ideal for those seeking to deepen their understanding of society and transformation through research.