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 themes

Our research falls into three overarching fields:

Philosophy

Exploring fundamental questions about the world, and our relation to it and to each other in thought, feeling, and action.

Theology and Religious Studies

Examining the meaning and significance of religious thought and practice and its relation to public life in our contemporary world.

History and Philosophy of Science

Examining the nature and development of science, technology and medicine, forces which explain and shape the world around us.

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 projects

Our research projects stem from collaboration with the global academic community and a wide range of organisations of all sizes from across the world.

Explore our past and present research output