School of Psychology and Social Sciences
We offer a stimulating, multidisciplinary environment at the forefront of the study of a range of contemporary social issues.
The School is home to a high-quality range of programmes in the following broad subject areas:
- Geography
- Politics and International Relations
- Psychology
- Sociology
Our undergraduate courses draw on the expertise of staff within our department as well as specialists in areas from across the faculty.
At postgraduate level, we offer several Masters courses, and we warmly welcome enquiries about postgraduate research.
Our dynamic staff have a wealth of experience in teaching, research and practice, to help our students address many questions that are crucial to understanding the rapidly changing world in the 21st century.
We carry out creative, dynamic research that makes a difference in the real world. All of our staff are actively engaged in research, engagement and the creation of new knowledge which feeds directly into our programmes.
We work collaboratively for positive change in the local, national and global community. The School has developed strong external relationships and students have been able to do placements with a wide variety of organisations. In some cases this has led to subsequent employment. Students are encouraged to be proactive about placements and to seek out their own work experience opportunities within their course; however, a number of staff maintain close links with a range of external organisations and are able to provide advice and assistance.
We have dedicated specialist facilities and are well equipped to undertake both fieldwork and laboratory-based projects. Explore our facilities.
Meet the team
Head of School
Geography
- Dr Tom Ball, Reader in Physical Geography
- Dr Annabelle Boulay, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography
- Prof. Tim Hall, Professor of interdisciplinary Social Studies
- Prof. Keith Wilkinson, Professor of Geoarchaeology
Technical staff
- Dr David Ashby, Laboratory Manager
Politics and International Relations
- Dr Sean Roberts, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations
- Dr Christine Ryan, Senior Lecturer in Politics and Global Studies
- Dr William Sheward, Senior Lecturer in Politics and Global Studies
- Dr Annabelle Boulay, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography
- Dr Tom Ball, Reader in Geography
- David Bown, Senior Lecturer in Sociology
- Dr Ulrike Ziemer, Senior Lecturer in Sociology
- Richard Werner, Professor of banking
Psychology
Sociology
- David Bown, Senior Lecturer in Sociology
- Dr Annabelle Boulay, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography
- Professor Tim Hall, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies
- Natacha Harding, Senior Lecturer in Criminology
- Dr Ritsuko Ozaki, Senior Lecturer in Sociology
- Dr Nancy Scheidt, Lecturer in Criminology
- Dr Ulrike Ziemer, Senior Lecturer in Sociology
Latest news Helping to combat plastic pollution in Ghana
This summer, a Social Sciences team visited schools and communities in Ghana to help a Winchester-based charity promote its campaign to combat plastic pollution.
Read the full storyResearch in Psychology and Social Sciences
Research strengths
Research in Geography
Physical/environmental geography:
- Biogeography
- Flood risk management
- remote sensing
- geological processes
- Environmental and urban monitoring and modelling
- Geothermal Energy Potential
Human/developmental geography:
- Urban studies
- Globalisation
- Rural crime
- Organised crime
- Geoscience and (cyber)security issues
- Disaster management
- Environmental issues and society
- Food security/the future of farming
- Water security
Research in Politics and International Relations
- Political economy
- Financial crises
- Neoliberalism and capitalist restructuring
- Financialisation and the political economy of labour and production
- International relations
- War and conflict
- Terrorism and security
- Contemporary US politics and US foreign policy
- China, Russia, NATO, the EU, Brexit
- Politics and gender
Research in Psychology
Discover research in Psychology, from cognition to creativity.
Research in Sociology
- Social welfare from a socio-legal perspective
- Gender, feminism and social activism
- Migration and diasporas
- Ageing society and mobility
- Quality of life and climate change
- Sustainable consumption
- People's experiences with housing and the urban built environment
Postgraduate research supervision
We offer research supervision in a wide range of subjects. To find out more, explore our academic staff profile pages above for individual areas of supervision or use the Find an Expert search bar below.
Visit the Research Degrees section to find out everything you need to know about postgraduate research degrees at Winchester.