MSc Politics, Violence and Crime in London United Kingdom | University College London

This program equips students with analytical and methodological expertise to formulate, investigate, and assess research inquiries, materials, and initiatives related to the interconnected realms of politics, violence, and crime across diverse spatial and temporal settings. Distinctively, it empowers students to cultivate autonomous research capabilities while employing anthropology as a critical lens to explore various issues concerning governance, legal systems, democratic processes, violent conflicts, identity formation, revolutionary movements, terrorism, illicit activities, and penal institutions. Participants acquire comprehensive knowledge and analytical perspectives on key theoretical, ethnographic, and methodological discussions within the anthropology of political violence and criminality. They further enhance their independent research competencies through hands-on methodological training and a culminating dissertation.

As the inaugural program of its kind, it focuses specifically on constructing specialized anthropological expertise around the interconnected themes of political conflict, violent behavior, and criminal justice systems. Its emphasis on reflexive ethnographic methodologies sets it apart from conventional Security, Peace, and Development Studies programs. The curriculum is designed for anthropology graduates and those from related social sciences, historical studies, and humanities disciplines, as well as qualified professionals seeking to develop ethnographic research skills for careers in academia, policy-making, journalism, development work, and various other sectors.