Program Overview

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MRes Social Research and Social Justice

Global Development, Politics and Sociology

This course is run in conjunction with the Institute of Connected Communities.

Start Date

September 2025

Attendance

Full time 1 year, part time 2 years

Learning Mode

On campus

Course Summary

Begin your career in social research with this uniquely structured MRes that brings together specialist research skills with the additional element of research advocacy training so that you can learn how to use your research for social justice aims.

The MRes Social Research and Social Justice course will provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of current research in the field of social sciences as well as the opportunity to develop your skills in experimental design and data analysis. Then with our unique Research Advocacy and Social Justice core module, you will learn how to take your research to the next level by exploring how your research can be used to address pressing global challenges within the field of social research.

This MRes is specifically targeting global majority students (individuals from African, South Asian, South American and other non-white backgrounds) who are interested in postgraduate research study and pursuing a career in research.

The MRes in Social Justice is part of the Social Transformation and Advocacy through Research project (STAR), which aims to increase the participation of global majority individuals in postgraduate research.

Entry Requirements

• A university 2:1 degree or equivalent qualification.

What Makes This Course Different

Change the World

Learn how to combine cutting-edge social research with critical social justice perspectives to tackle complex global challenges.

Widen Your Career Opportunities

Position yourself for careers at the intersection of social research and social advocacy such as roles in public health, policy making and government, and the non-profit charity sector.

Work with Experts

Work with world class researchers in Social Sciences.

What You'll Learn

• A cross-disciplinary course embedding research advocacy in research training, developing tools to navigate and challenge racist and exclusionary institutions.
• Develop a broad-ranging understanding of the histories and impacts of racism and inequality through a collective reading group.
• Specialist research training relevant to their discipline.
• To carry out an independent research project addressing a real-world problem.

How You'll Learn – Workload in Hours

As a full-time research student, the MRes demands considerable independent study and research, amounting to around 1600 hours. Much of your timetable will be shaped by your own research project. You will be required to attend a four-hour core module session each week in terms one, two and three. In addition, you will have regular meetings and workshops with tutors and your research supervisor. Timetables for part-time students will reflect modules selected in each year. Modules will take place sometime between the hours of 9am - 6pm.

The course offers blended learning opportunities with online and offline sessions.
When not attending timetabled classes, you will be expected to pursue your learning independently through self-directed study, including through guided reading, construction of research briefings, planning social media and mainstream media campaigns, and review reports.

You will be assigned an academic adviser who will be your point of contact throughout the programme.

Across the programme, you will spend around 135 hours of scheduled contact time with an academic member of staff. This will include lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary for each module.

Modules

• SY7013 - Making a Difference through Research (Core 30 credits)
• SY7014 - Research Advocacy and Social Justice (Core 30 credits)
• SY7015 - Research Advocacy through a Research Project (Core 120 credits)

How You'll Be Assessed

• 100% coursework
• This will include briefings, social media campaigns, research overviews, and original research projects.
• You will receive detailed feedback on coursework, including one-to-one meetings to discuss drafts and identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Fees and Funding

January 2025

• UK Full Time - £6,020
• UK Part-Time - £3,010
• International Full-Time - £16,100

September 2025

• UK Full Time - £6,320
• UK Part-Time - £3,160
• International Full-Time - £16,900

Your Future Career

Industry Links

• Master classes with high-profile influencers from the broader research landscape.
• Guest speakers reflecting on the political and cultural significance of creating an anti-racist, socially just research community.
• One-to-one career planning.
• An opportunity to contribute to an outreach programme building awareness of the potential real-world impact of research careers with undergraduate cohorts.

Who Teaches on This Course

Please contact Dr Darren Sharpe if you have any questions about the course.

Dr Darren Sharpe

Darren is an Associate Professor based at the Institute for Connected Communities (ICC) and is also a UCLP Researcher-in-Residence.

Dr Oliver Keenan

Oliver is a lecturer to students on the MRes in Social Research and Social Justice programme. He is currently a research assistant and quantitative research lead at ICC’s Evaluation Unit.

What We're Researching

The MRes Social Research and Social Justice is housed in the Institute for Connected Communities, a dedicated research institute leading impactful social research with and for communities. From working with some of the poorest, most marginalised and mobile communities in the UK to promote health and reduce inequalities, to working closely with the UK and international governments, the safety tech industry, NGOs and charities in the online harms and cybercrime arenas, we use cutting-edge, evidence-based approaches to produce high-quality research that directly influences policy and practice, and that is always people-led and always focused on impact.

The Course Leader, Dr Darren Sharpe, has an international reputation in the study of structural and health inequalities and research that brings the voices of marginalised communities to the centre in order to inform, interpret and influence research, policy and practice.