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Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

Research | Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

Welcome

Dublin City University's new strategic plan - Transformation for an Unscripted Future - aims to intensify our output and position us as a leading European research institution that effectively communicates its findings in academic contexts and to the wider public.

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest in DCU and hosts some of the most distinguished scholars, programmes, and centres across different disciplines. Our staff publish in leading international and national academic journals, with leading book publishers, and in diverse creative fora. We utilise this expertise to address important societal challenges through policy-focused research, engaging with government and civil society and bringing our research to a wider audience through the media. Staff in the Faculty are involved in leading externally funded research projects for the EU, the Irish Government, the Irish Research Council, NGOs and the charity sector. Finally and crucially, our students have access to leading experts in their chosen fields of study, strengthening the teaching and learning experience at DCU.

Guided by DCU’s new strategy philosophy of ‘Focus and Impact’, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences will direct its attention to increasing the intensity of our peer-reviewed publications and the impact of our research. Our key strategic focus is to significantly grow our doctoral community, developing the next generation of research talent. We will ensure that DCU research is widely disseminated and publicised. To this end, we will implement a faculty-wide research support and communication programme. This will help us amplify our work in international academic debates and highlight the social and economic impacts of DCU research.

Taking these priority areas as a key enabler of its strategic vision, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences will continue to foster a strong multi-purpose research culture that empowers staff and students to reach their full potential. The University's research culture recognises that, 'in general, the greatest impact is achieved from a critical mass of multidisciplinary researchers tackling an important research question', and this translates into practice in the Faculty's commitment to the pursuit of inter-, trans-, and multii-disciplinary research praxis. As a result, DCU's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is recognised internationally as a research-intensive and globally engaged faculty distinguished both by the quality and impact of its graduates and its focus on the translation of knowledge into societal and economic benefit. 

Professor Gezim Visoka Image

Dr Gëzim Visoka
Associate Dean for Research

Phone: +353 1 700 7978
E-Mail: gezim.visoka@dcu.ie

Research Degrees 

This website also provides some preliminary information about our postgraduate research programmes and links to our individual Schools, all of whom have their own postgraduate research pages. The Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences at DCU provides a stimulating research environment for postgraduate scholars at Ph.D and Masters levels, in a wide range of disciplines within the seven Schools.

Why undertake a research degree?

Undertaking a research degree, Ph.D or Masters, allows you to carry out an in-depth study of an issue that you have chosen in a discipline in which you already have a good academic grounding. While a Ph.D is normally a gateway to an academic career, completing a research degree will also enable you to develop skills in organising, presenting and project management that will stand to you in whatever career you pursue afterwards. Having a research degree marks you out as someone with both specialist knowledge in your discipline and the ability and commitment to manage and complete a demanding and challenging piece of academic research.

Students work together in a modern, purpose-built area, fostering a collegiate atmosphere. Academic supervision for each student is provided by a specialist or specialists in the appropriate discipline with whom students meet regularly. While postgraduate research is necessarily highly specialised, the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences provides a multidisciplinary environment for research. Students of all disciplines are trained in research methodologies at both Faculty and School level.

Research Studentships and Scholarships

We offer scholarships to support research students on an annual basis. Typically those competitions are held each Spring. You will get further information directly from the School closest to your own research interests.  Feel free to email any member of staff or the contact names listed below.

Contact Us

Those interested in applying are encouraged to contact the individual Schools in the first instance:

Full information concerning the application process for applicants wishing to pursue studies in postgraduate is available at the DCU Registry's Postgraduate Research page.