Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods
- PhD
Overview
The PhD Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods is linked to the interdisciplinary South West doctoral pathway of the same name.
Offer holders will need to apply to and be awarded an SWDTP studentship for this pathway to meet the conditions for registration on this programme.
The PhD Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods is linked to the interdisciplinary South West doctoral pathway of the same name. Offer holders will need to apply to and be awarded an SWDTP studentship for this pathway to meet the conditions for registration on this programme.
Conduct advanced research on digital methods and sociotechnical futures in an innovative interdisciplinary school. 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.
Study the nature of technological change through interdisciplinary methods: the ways it shapes society, and the ways it is shaped by society. Learn from internationally renowned scholars of science and technology, politics and international relations in a dynamic and supportive research environment.
Benefit from support and oversight from two PhD supervisors whose current active research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen research area.
Be challenged and inspired by an international community of scholars addressing some of the most important topics that face us today. Join a diverse, innovative community, committed to rigorous conceptual and empirical research that is politically and socially relevant and problem-orientated.
Be taught by academics producing leading research that is relevant to the changing circumstances of an increasingly interconnected world. Produce work that advances theory, knowledge and methods at the cutting edge and contributes to better understanding and improvement of the world.
Programme structure
The PhD in Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods will combine both taught and research components.
The taught component provide you with the necessary research methods skills to become an independent researcher, including a better understanding of the research process, ethics, and methodologies so that you are fully equipped to work on your PhD project.
You are required to complete this taught component, unless you can provide evidence that you have undertaken this training before joining the programme.
You are required to take the following units:
- Introduction to Research Methods in the Social Sciences
- Digital Methods and Data Skills
- Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
- Advanced Qualitative Research Methods.
Through the research component, you will undertake and write up your doctoral research with the support of two supervisors.
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.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £5,106 per year
- Home: part-time
- £2,553 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £21,900 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
The programme application deadline for scholarship applicants will be 1 December 2025.
This programme is restricted to those who successfully apply to and are subsequently awarded an SWDTP studentship.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Bristol graduates are in high demand and have an excellent record of employment following graduation. Graduates of our postgraduate research programmes go on to pursue varied and interesting careers.
Past students have gone on to work for Refugee UK, Shelter, Barnardo's, Amnesty International, government departments and the European Parliament, among others.
Meet our supervisors
The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.
Research groups
Our research activity in the school is guided by focusing on key themes:
- digital society
- science and technology
- critical (in)securities
- cultural work
- climate emergency
- decoloniality and race
- ethnicity, migration and citizenship
- European politics and societies
- food security
- gender and sexuality
- peace, conflict and violence
- political and social inequalities
- social, cultural and political theory
- South and East Asia.
All researchers across the school identify with one or more of the themes. This enables collective identification over themes within the school and aims to generate further collaboration and interdisciplinarity in our research activities. In addition, the themes provide a basis for internal and external recognition of the main questions and topics that our research addresses.
Contact us
- Contact
Postgraduate Student Administrator
- Phone
- +44 (0)
117 331 7572
- spais-pgr@bristol.ac.uk">
- Faculties