PhD Social Policy in Canterbury United Kingdom | University of Kent

Our institution provides research supervision spanning diverse social policy subjects and areas. Examining welfare systems forms a core component of our academic focus.

Nations' welfare systems and other need-serving institutions globally confront significant challenges stemming from aging populations, evolving family structures, employment trends, migration patterns, and economic instability. In our interconnected world, these matters demand an international viewpoint that considers shared pressures while acknowledging varied national approaches to welfare provision.

We particularly welcome postgraduate research proposals exploring these critical issues. Prospective students should review faculty webpages to determine their preferred specialization area.
With a rich academic heritage, our School ranks among Europe's most prominent and accomplished social science research hubs. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) rated 100% of our Social Work and Social Policy research as world-leading or internationally outstanding in terms of impact and research environment.

Our postgraduate community flourishes with substantial support, including over £100,000 awarded in 2010 through ESRC quota allocations, University funding, and School bursaries/scholarships for incoming students.

Faculty members concentrate on internationally relevant, comparative, and theoretical research, with particular expertise in: nonprofit sectors and civil society, comparative European social policy, healthcare and social care studies, labor markets and economic systems, risk analysis and management, ethnicity and religious studies, public policy development, sociology of the body, criminology and cultural studies, contemporary sociological theory.