PhD in Economic and Social History

The PhD in Economic and Social History offers you the opportunity to study economic and social history at an advanced level through independent research.

We host one of the largest economic and social history research groupings in the UK and this enables us to support research in economic and social history across a wide range of time periods and geographical regions, from the early modern period to the present day, and from Britain to the Caribbean. Current research interests include the study of economic development, financial history, energy policy, globalisation, slavery, demography, urban history, consumption, material culture, museums and collecting, leisure, religious belief, popular culture, medicine and disease, gender, sexuality and the family. Colleagues in the economic and history reseach group work closely with colleagues with related interests in other Schools, notably the School of Social and Political Science and the School of Economics.

The breadth of expertise in the School and in the wider University makes it possible for us to supervise a very wide range of topics. Each student is allocated at least two supervisors, allowing us to combine thematic, chronological and, if appropriate, disciplinary expertise in the supervisory team. Details of PhD projects currently being undertaken in the School can be found on our list of research student web profiles.

Programme structure

The PhD is a substantial piece of independent research which makes a contribution to the state of existing knowledge in the field. The PhD programme is designed to take three years full-time or six years part time. The PhD is examined by submission of a thesis of up to 100,000 words and by oral examination.

PhD students work closely with their supervisors, who are recognised experts in the field of study. All PhD students pursue an individually tailored programme of research training agreed with their supervisors. The PhD programmes in History provide core training in the research skills necessary to flourish at doctoral level and beyond, through a core course in semester one, Professional Skills for Historians, and a day-long annual conference for PhD students in semester two. All PhD students in the School also benefit from School and University-wide training in research and professional skills.

PhD students are encouraged to share their research with other postgraduate students through workshops and seminars, and to take an active part in the research life of the history subject area, the School and the University through our research groups and centres and through student-led workshops and seminars. Current research groups of particular interest to economic and social historians include Digital Humanities; Material Culture; Global and Transnational History; History of Science, Medicine and Technology and Economic and Social History.

You are encouraged to contact a potential supervisor  to discuss your research project before making a formal application.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the programme, please contact the Programme Director.

Dr Gayle Davis

Programme Director

Contact details

•  Work: 0131 650 8348
•  Email: Gayle.Davis@ed.ac.uk

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