Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods

Entry requirements

An upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) and normally a merit at MSc/MA level (or equivalent).

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

This degree provides an opportunity to conduct advanced research on digital methods and sociotechnical futures in an interdisciplinary school. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the social and political dimensions of technological transformation as occasioned by, for instance, the digital revolution, green energy or artificial intelligence. It will also equip you with interdisciplinary methods to study the nature of technological change: the ways it shapes society, and the ways it is shaped by society. You will study with internationally renowned scholars of science and technology, politics and international relations in a dynamic and supportive research environment.

You will join an international community of students working on a range of political, social and international relations issues. Our staff also have particular expertise across a range of political, cultural and social theory and champion diverse research methodologies. You will be assigned two PhD supervisors whose current research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen research area.

We are committed to rigorous conceptual and empirical research that is politically and socially relevant and problem-orientated. We aim to advance theory, knowledge and methods to better equip researchers to understand and address technological transformations and their social and political implications. We produce leading research with an international focus that is relevant to the changing circumstances of an increasingly interconnected world. Our aim is not just to monitor the world but to contribute to a better understanding and to ways that might improve it.

Information for international students

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and funding

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has an allocation of 1+3 and +3 ESRC scholarships. Applicants may also be interested in applying for funding from the University of Bristol scholarship fund or the alumni PhD scholarship fund. For more information about funding please visit: Postgraduate scholarships | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law | University of Bristol

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.