Research and innovation

Our researchers form a strong and diverse community and work with a wide range of organisations from global organisations to community groups.

Our research

The School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science is committed to research excellence, productivity, and the international development of its disciplines. With around 50 research-active staff and almost 100 PhD students, we have a diverse, lively, and robust community of researchers.

Our strong ethos of supporting research across the School ensures that we nurture high-quality research at the cutting edge of our disciplines. Staff publish books and articles in peer-reviewed journals and edited collections, have significant responsibilities in national and international research bodies, editorial boards, and international research groups, and achieve an impressive record of research grant capture.

We regularly welcome visiting researchers from across the world and have a programme of multiple regular research seminars, which are open for all to attend.

Research groups

Centre for Aesthetics

The Centre is engaged in research in aesthetics and the philosophy of art, experimental aesthetics and creativity.

Centre for Ethics and Metaethics

The Centre for Ethics and Metaethics supports research in ethics, metaethics, and social and political philosophy and fosters connections to other areas in philosophy.

Centre for History and Philosophy of Science

The Centre is at the forefront of current research in the philosophy of science and many aspects of the history of science, technology and medicine, from the 17th century onwards.

Centre for Metaphysics and Mind

The Centre for Metaphysics and Mind (CMM) supports excellence in research in theoretical philosophy.

Centre for Philosophy of Religion

The Centre explores and promotes research in philosophy of religion across a broad range of approaches and religious traditions.

Centre for Religion and Public Life

The Centre is a hub of research, impact and public engagement activities at the intersections of religion and public life in local, national and global contexts.

Impact and engagement

Our subjects bring benefits to non-academic groups and organisations through outstanding research and collaboration.

Building on existing areas of strength to create a broad-based impact and innovation culture that underpins our academic activities allows our academics to identify the wider benefits of their work and the potential for collaborative working, whatever the subject.

The School actively seeks to nurture high-quality and innovative research and public engagement that tackles issues of local, national and global importance as the key to successful and sustainable impact.

Research and innovation