Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods
- PhD
Overview
This degree provides an opportunity to conduct advanced research on digital methods and sociotechnical futures in an interdisciplinary school. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the social and political dimensions of technological transformation as occasioned by, for instance, the digital revolution, green energy or artificial intelligence. It will also equip you with interdisciplinary methods to study the nature of technological change: the ways it shapes society, and the ways it is shaped by society. You will study with internationally renowned scholars of science and technology, politics and international relations in a dynamic and supportive research environment.
You will join an international community of students working on a range of political, social and international relations issues. Our staff also have particular expertise across a range of political, cultural and social theory and champion diverse research methodologies. You will be assigned two PhD supervisors whose current research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen research area.
We are committed to rigorous conceptual and empirical research that is politically and socially relevant and problem-orientated. We aim to advance theory, knowledge and methods to better equip researchers to understand and address technological transformations and their social and political implications. We produce leading research with an international focus that is relevant to the changing circumstances of an increasingly interconnected world. Our aim is not just to monitor the world but to contribute to a better understanding and to ways that might improve it.
Programme structure
The PhD in Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods will combine both taught and research components.
The taught component provide you with the necessary research methods skills to become an independent researcher, including a better understanding of the research process, ethics, and methodologies so that you are fully equipped to work on your PhD project. This taught component requires students to complete a total 60 credits, unless you can provide evidence that you have undertaken this training before joining the programme.
You are required to take the following units:
- Introduction to Research Methods in the Social Sciences (20 credits)
- Digital Methods and Data Skills (20 credits)
And one of the following units:
- Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (20 credits)
- Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (20 credits)
Through the research component, you will undertake and write up your doctoral research with the support of two supervisors.
Entry requirements
An upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) and normally a merit at MSc/MA level (or equivalent).
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- UK: full-time
- £4,758 per year
- UK: part-time
- £2,379 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £20,700 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding for 2024/25
The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has an allocation of 1+3 and +3 ESRC scholarships. Applicants may also be interested in applying for funding from the University of Bristol scholarship fund or the alumni PhD scholarship fund.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Bristol graduates are in high demand and have an excellent record of employment following graduation. Please visit the school website for statements from our former graduates.
Research groups
Our research activity in the school is guided by focusing on key themes:
- digital society
- science and technology
- critical (in)securities
- cultural work
- climate emergency
- decoloniality and race
- ethnicity, migration and citizenship
- European politics and societies
- food security
- gender and sexuality
- peace, conflict and violence
- political and social inequalities
- social, cultural and political theory
- South and East Asia.
All researchers across the school identify with one or more of the themes. This enables collective identification over themes within the school and aims to generate further collaboration and interdisciplinarity in our research activities. In addition, the themes provide a basis for internal and external recognition of the main questions and topics that our research addresses.
Contact us
- Contact
Postgraduate Student Administrator
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 331 7572
- spais-pgadmissions@bristol.ac.uk