History and Politics PhD

The research degree programme aims to provide students with an outstanding learning experience in a supportive community of learning. The department is known nationally and internationally for excellence in research and teaching and all of its staff are engaged in conducting their own research.

The Chichester historians and political scientists offer a dynamic research environment through publications, organising and participating in national and international conferences (Germany, Portugal, Norway, France, Canada and the US). Recent conferences at Chichester include those held in collaboration with the Sussex Archaeological Society, the Multi-Directional Memory Conference, the D-Day Anniversary Conference, and the 30th Annual Conference for the Society for the Study of French History. Other scholarly activity has included TV and radio appearances, interviews and specialist consultancy. The team publish widely in international research periodicals (e.g. Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History, Journal of Cultural and Social History, Yale French Studies, Journal of American Studies); and contribute to series published by all of the leading university presses, as well as many other long established academic publishing houses.

Aims of the Programme

The aims of the programme are: a) the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline and merit publication; b) a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of the academic discipline; c) the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems; d) a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry appropriate to the discipline.

Having successfully completed this programme you: have demonstrated a systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of the skills and methods of research associated with that field; have demonstrated the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt a substantial process of research with scholarly integrity; have made a contribution through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work, some of which merits national or international refereed publication; are capable of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas; can communicate with your peers, the larger scholarly community and with society in general about your areas of expertise; can be expected to be able to promote, within academic and professional contexts, technological, social or cultural advancement in a knowledge-based society.

The standard requirement for an MPhil/PhD is a first or upper-second honours degree and/or usually a relevant Master's degree. Candidates with other qualifications are considered individually on their merits. All students are interviewed by their potential supervisor(s) and a Research Degree Coordinator or nominated other.