Sociology at the OU has an international reputation for the high quality of its research. We place particular emphasis on analysing the relationships between culture and the social, comparative, historical and critical work, theorisation of social and political thought. Please visit the individual staff profiles for further information on research interests.

Key dates:

The application deadline (for both funded and self-funded students) is 11 January for all applicants wishing to begin their studies on 1 October of that same calendar year.

For those wishing to begin their studies on 1 February, the application deadline is 31 August of the previous calendar year.

More information on the PhD Programme in Sociology can be found below.

• FAQs
• Sociology Research Prospectus

Research students

• Current research students
• Recently completed students

Research areas and staff specialisms

Postgraduates are considered vital in maintaining and expanding our research profile. We therefore welcome high-quality applications from enthusiastic and talented students and prospective applicants are encouraged to browse our current and recently completed student pages above.  

It should be noted that we also co-supervise PhD students across the Faculty in, for example, Social Policy, Music, Religious Studies as well as in Computer Science and Digital Cultures.

Our research interests focus on the following themes.

Embodiment, Physical Culture, and the Senses

Working on this area is: Dr Kevin McSorley, Jessica Evans

Emotions, Intimacy and the Psychosocial

Working on this area are Dr Peter Redman, Jessica Evans, Prof Elizabeth Silva, Prof Kath Woodward.

Sex and Gender, Gender Regimes, Gender Relations

Working on this area are Prof Umut Erel, Jessica Evans, Dr Ece Kocabıçak, Dr Kathryn Medien, Prof. Sophie Watson.

Health, Illness and Technology

Working on this area is Dr Simon Carter, Dr Kathryn Medien

Media, Migration and Technology

Working on this area is Professor Marie Gillespie

Migration, Diaspora and Citizenship

Working on this area are Prof. Umut Erel Prof Marie Gillespie, Dr Kathryn Medien, Prof Sophie Watson,

Organisations: Systemic and Psychoanalytical Approaches

Working on this area: Jessica Evans

Racism, Anti-Racism, Imperialism, (Post)-Colonialisms and the Global South

Prof. Umut Erel, Prof. Marie Gillespie, Dr Ece Kocabıçak, Dr Kathryn Medien

Urbanism, Cities and Social Change

Working on this area is Prof Sophie Watson.

War, Political Violence and Militarism;

Working on this area is: Dr Kevin McSorley