The South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) Campuses

The Canterbury Campus, as part of the South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc), specializes in advanced doctoral programs across social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary studies. SEDarc's partnership with the University of Kent emphasizes rigorous research training for PhD candidates, focusing on methodologies that bridge theoretical and empirical approaches. Main courses include the PhD in Sociology, which explores social structures, inequality, and cultural dynamics through qualitative and quantitative methods; the PhD in Economics, covering micro and macroeconomics, econometrics, and policy analysis; and the PhD in Politics and International Relations, addressing global governance, conflict resolution, and democratic processes.

• Doctoral training in Anthropology delves into ethnographic research, human evolution, and contemporary societal issues.
• The PhD in Law program offers specializations in human rights, environmental law, and international trade regulations.
• Interdisciplinary PhDs in Digital Humanities integrate technology with historical and literary analysis.
• Social Policy PhDs focus on welfare systems, public health, and social justice reforms.
• Psychology PhDs emphasize cognitive, developmental, and clinical research with access to state-of-the-art labs.

Students benefit from SEDarc's collaborative framework, including cohort-based training workshops, advanced statistical software training, and ethical research seminars. The campus provides dedicated research centers like the Kent Centre for Social Research and the QStep Centre for quantitative methods. With a vibrant academic community, PhD candidates engage in seminars, conferences, and fieldwork opportunities across the South East region. SEDarc ensures funding through ESRC scholarships, supporting three-year training pathways that culminate in impactful theses. The curriculum fosters skills in grant writing, publication, and career development for academia, policy, or industry roles. Overall, the Canterbury Campus equips scholars to tackle pressing global challenges like migration, climate policy, and digital ethics, producing graduates who lead in their fields. This comprehensive program, spanning over 300 hours of structured training, prepares students for lifelong research excellence.

SEDarc partners with Royal Holloway at the Egham Campus for PhD training in history, music, and drama. The historic Founder's Building anchors programs in cultural and performing arts research. Key offerings: PhD in History, spanning medieval to modern eras with archival expertise; PhD in Music, focusing on composition, ethnomusicology, and performance studies; and PhD in Drama, Theatre and Dance, examining performance theory, scenography, and audience engagement.

• PhD in English Literature explores modernism, postcolonialism, and digital narratives.
• The PhD in Management investigates organizational culture, sustainability, and leadership.
• Interdisciplinary PhDs in Earth and Environmental Sciences link policy with geosciences.
• Classics PhDs cover ancient languages, archaeology, and reception studies.
• Media Arts PhDs analyze film production, screenwriting, and visual cultures.

SEDarc enhances Egham with modules on oral history, digital humanities tools, and creative practice-as-research. Facilities include the Boars Hill recording studios and the Centre for the Study of the Body and Material Culture. ESRC funding covers fees, living costs, and conference attendance. Over 300 hours of training include performance workshops, paleography, and impact planning. Egham's location near London supports museum collaborations and theatre internships. Research addresses South East heritage like Georgian estates and contemporary arts scenes. The program fosters publication and public outreach skills. Graduates thrive in curation, education, and creative industries, contributing culturally rich scholarship. This SEDarc hub promotes innovative, practice-led inquiry.

The Falmer Campus hosts SEDarc's collaboration with the University of Sussex, offering doctoral programs in development studies, gender, and migration. This scenic site emphasizes global and critical perspectives in social sciences. Featured PhDs include the PhD in International Development, covering global south economies, humanitarian aid, and sustainability; the PhD in Gender Studies, exploring feminism, intersectionality, and queer theory; and the PhD in Migration Studies, addressing refugee policies, diaspora communities, and border politics.

• PhD in Social Anthropology investigates rituals, kinship, and globalization effects.
• The PhD in Film Studies analyzes cinema, media representation, and cultural narratives.
• Interdisciplinary PhDs in Science Policy integrate STEM with societal implications.
• Human Geography PhDs study mobilities, landscapes, and environmental humanities.
• Intellectual History PhDs trace ideas in philosophy, literature, and politics.

SEDarc at Falmer provides training via the Sussex Centre for Migration Research and the Ste Sussex Development Studies Centre. Courses cover participatory research, archival methods, and decolonial approaches. ESRC-backed, the three-year track includes 300 hours of methods bootcamps, language training, and fieldwork grants. Proximity to Brighton enables community-engaged projects on coastal migration and creative industries. Students collaborate on EU-funded initiatives and publish in top journals. The program builds skills for careers in NGOs, diplomacy, and research councils. Focus on South East themes like cross-channel migration and inclusive growth. With vibrant seminars and artist residencies, Falmer nurtures creative, ethical scholars. Graduates advance equity and justice through nuanced, globally-oriented research.

SEDarc's partnership at the University of Surrey's Guildford Campus delivers doctoral training in sociology, communications, and technology-society intersections. The modern Stag Hill site hosts PhD programs geared toward innovative research in digital age challenges. Major courses encompass the PhD in Sociology, investigating social networks, inequality, and cultural shifts; the PhD in Communication and Media, analyzing digital platforms, journalism ethics, and audience studies; and the PhD in Human-Centred Technology, exploring AI ethics, cybersecurity, and user experience design.

• PhD in Politics and Public Policy addresses governance, EU relations, and policy evaluation.
• The PhD in Linguistics examines language acquisition, sociolinguistics, and computational models.
• Interdisciplinary PhDs in Digital Economy integrate business, tech, and social impacts.
• Sustainable Development PhDs focus on energy transitions, urban planning, and environmental justice.
• Psychology PhDs cover social cognition, organizational behavior, and mental health tech.

Through SEDarc, students access the 5G Innovation Centre and the Institute of Cultural Research. Training includes workshops on network analysis, content analysis, and VR research methods. ESRC funding supports stipends, equipment, and international placements. The program features 300+ hours of core training in research design, data ethics, and impact strategies. Guildford's tech hub location facilitates industry partnerships with firms like BBC and Vodafone. PhD research tackles South East issues like digital inclusion and media regulation. Emphasis on employability includes CV building, pitching, and entrepreneurship modules. Graduates lead in tech policy, media consultancies, and academia, driving societal change through informed, tech-savvy scholarship. This SEDarc site cultivates a collaborative environment for groundbreaking interdisciplinary work.

The London Road Campus, a key SEDarc site in partnership with the University of Reading, concentrates on health, education, and heritage doctoral programs. This specialized location supports PhD research in applied fields with strong community ties. Core courses include the PhD in Health Sciences, examining clinical trials, health economics, and behavioral interventions; the PhD in Education, focusing on curriculum design, teacher training, and educational equity; and the PhD in Archaeology and Heritage, covering material culture, conservation, and cultural policy.

• PhD in Pharmacy and Pharmacology researches drug development, pharmacogenomics, and public health impacts.
• The PhD in Typography and Graphic Communication analyzes visual culture, design history, and digital media.
• Interdisciplinary PhDs in Biomedical and Health Informatics integrate data science with medical research.
• Social History PhDs explore class dynamics, gender roles, and archival methodologies.
• Psychology of Education PhDs study learning processes, motivation, and inclusive practices.

SEDarc enhances training at London Road with modules on mixed-methods research, ethical considerations in health studies, and heritage impact assessment. Facilities include the Cole Museum of Zoology and advanced health simulation labs. ESRC scholarships fund the three-year program, including intensive summer schools and networking events. Over 300 hours of training cover advanced statistics, qualitative software, and professional skills development. The campus's proximity to London enables collaborations with museums and health organizations. PhD candidates contribute to regional projects on heritage preservation and educational reform in the South East. The curriculum promotes dissemination through publications, conferences, and public engagement. Graduates excel in diverse sectors, from NHS policy to cultural institutions, armed with rigorous analytical tools and interdisciplinary perspectives. This comprehensive SEDarc pathway fosters transformative research that addresses health disparities, educational innovation, and cultural sustainability.

The Medway Campus within the South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) offers specialized doctoral training in applied social sciences, with a focus on maritime, urban, and health-related studies. Partnering with the University of Kent's Medway site, SEDarc delivers PhD programs tailored to regional and global issues, emphasizing practical research applications. Key courses include the PhD in Public Health, which investigates epidemiology, health inequalities, and intervention strategies; the PhD in Urban Studies, exploring sustainable development, housing policies, and community resilience; and the PhD in Maritime Studies, addressing logistics, environmental impacts, and international trade.

• PhD in Education focuses on pedagogy, inclusion, and lifelong learning in diverse settings.
• The PhD in Criminology examines crime prevention, justice systems, and victimology with field-based research.
• Interdisciplinary PhDs in Environmental Social Science integrate ecology with policy and behavioral analysis.
• Social Work PhDs train professionals in child protection, mental health, and community support frameworks.
• Business and Management PhDs cover entrepreneurship, supply chain, and innovation in regional economies.

SEDarc's Medway offerings include collaborative modules with local industries and NHS partnerships, providing real-world data access and internships. Training encompasses advanced qualitative interviewing, GIS mapping, and policy evaluation techniques. The campus hosts the Centre for Health Services Studies and the Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics, and Ethics, fostering cross-disciplinary projects. PhD students receive ESRC-funded stipends, mentorship from leading academics, and opportunities for international exchanges. The three-year pathway includes core methods courses, elective seminars, and thesis development support. Emphasis is placed on impactful research addressing South East challenges like coastal management and urban regeneration. Graduates emerge as experts ready for roles in government, NGOs, and academia, with skills in stakeholder engagement and evidence-based decision-making. This robust program, exceeding 300 hours of dedicated training, ensures comprehensive preparation for scholarly and professional success in dynamic fields.

SEDarc's Goldsmiths partnership at New Cross excels in cultural policy, media, and anthropology PhDs. The creative hub fosters critical, artistic research. Main programs: PhD in Cultural Policy and Management, analyzing arts funding, diversity, and creative economies; PhD in Media and Communications, covering digital activism, surveillance, and cultural industries; and PhD in Anthropology, exploring visual ethnography, urban life, and material cultures.

• PhD in Art and Visual Cultures investigates contemporary art, curatorship, and decolonization.
• The PhD in Politics critiques power, race, and radical movements.
• Interdisciplinary PhDs in Computational Culture blend arts with algorithms and data.
• Social and Cultural Anthropology PhDs study rituals, migration, and sensory experiences.
• Design PhDs focus on interaction, speculative futures, and social design.

SEDarc training at New Cross includes autoethnography, media production, and policy labs. Facilities like the Centre for Cultural Studies support experimental projects. ESRC funding aids fieldwork and exhibitions. The 300-hour program features seminars on theory, practice, and public engagement. London's art scene enables residencies and festivals. Research targets South East creative clusters and inequality. Emphasis on reflexive, inclusive methodologies. Graduates influence cultural sectors, activism, and academia with bold, interdisciplinary visions. This SEDarc site champions innovative cultural scholarship.

At Brunel University London's Uxbridge Campus, SEDarc offers PhD programs in education, design, and social care. The innovative site emphasizes practice-based research for societal benefit. Core PhDs: PhD in Education, covering pedagogy, e-learning, and social mobility; PhD in Design, exploring user-centered innovation, ergonomics, and sustainable materials; and PhD in Social Work, focusing on family dynamics, aging care, and welfare interventions.

• PhD in Health Sciences researches exercise physiology, occupational therapy, and public wellness.
• The PhD in Sociology and Communications studies media influence, identity, and digital societies.
• Interdisciplinary PhDs in Engineering Social Impacts assess tech ethics and infrastructure policy.
• Community Studies PhDs investigate volunteering, cohesion, and urban regeneration.
• Psychology PhDs emphasize forensic, health, and human factors applications.

SEDarc at Uxbridge integrates with the Institute of Communities and the Centre for Health and Society. Training covers action research, prototyping, and care ethics. ESRC scholarships fund the pathway, including 300+ hours of workshops on NVivo, CAD software, and grant applications. Links to London industries provide placements in design firms and social services. Focus on South East issues like accessible education and community health. Students engage in co-production with users for impactful outcomes. Graduates enter design consultancies, social enterprises, and policy roles, equipped with collaborative and innovative skills. This SEDarc program drives practical, transformative research.

At the Whiteknights Campus, SEDarc collaborates with the University of Reading to provide cutting-edge doctoral training in economics, politics, and environmental social sciences. This lush, research-intensive site hosts PhD programs designed for in-depth analysis of economic policies, political institutions, and sustainable development. Principal courses feature the PhD in Economics, with advanced training in game theory, financial modeling, and development economics; the PhD in Politics, covering comparative politics, public administration, and election studies; and the PhD in International Development, focusing on poverty alleviation, aid effectiveness, and global inequalities.

• PhD in Area Studies explores regional dynamics in Europe, Africa, and Asia through multilingual research.
• The PhD in Philosophy delves into ethics, metaphysics, and applied philosophy in contemporary contexts.
• Interdisciplinary PhDs in Food and Human Geography integrate agriculture, nutrition, and spatial analysis.
• Population and Demography PhDs investigate migration patterns, aging societies, and statistical forecasting.
• Quantitative Social Sciences PhDs emphasize big data, machine learning, and survey design.

SEDarc's integration at Whiteknights includes access to the Walker Institute for Climate System Research and the Centre for Institutions and Governance. Students participate in block-taught methods courses, simulation labs, and policy roundtables. Funded by ESRC, the program offers full scholarships, travel grants, and career workshops. The structured pathway spans foundational training, specialized electives, and dissertation supervision, totaling over 300 hours. Emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration prepares candidates for multifaceted careers in think tanks, international organizations, and higher education. Research themes address South East priorities like economic resilience post-Brexit and environmental governance. With world-class libraries and computing facilities, the campus nurtures innovative scholarship that influences public discourse and policy. Graduates are empowered to contribute to societal advancement through evidence-driven insights and ethical leadership.