www. northumbria. ac. uk17 Postgraduate research ( PGR) students are also encouraged to participate fully in the School's lively research environment, presentingpapers and work in progress to academic staff and other students as well as undertaking a wide range of research training activities. In addition, the School organises regular research seminar series and visits from distinguished academics, experts and practitioners. The School's Postgraduate Research Programmes The School of Arts and Social Sciences offers students the opportunity to study at MRes, MPhil and PhD level within the arts, the humanities, the media and the social sciences. There is a wide range of disciplinary expertise within the School, both for projects that align with traditional academic disciplines and those that cut across disciplinary divides. Arts Postgraduate research within the School's arts- based provision is broadly characterised by an in- depth engagement with the complexity and diversity of ' culture' in a variety of social and historical contexts. This can range from creative practice in fine and performing art and photographic practice to the histories of art, design, film and television, urban and popular cultures, cultural institutions, and the significance of culture in the formation of identities. A distinctive feature of the School's PGR provision with particular relevance to the arts is the practice- led PhD. This provides an opportunity for students to build a research programme around their own creative practice. To date, the School's practice- led PhDs have been mainly based in Fine Art. However, it is now also possible to undertake practice- led research in Creative Writing and in Photographic Practice. Humanities The School's research into literature has a broad scope, engaging in interdisciplinary ways with English literature from 1500 to the present day and with American literature from 1800 to the present day. The study of language is another important aspect of research within the School, and the practice of and research into creative writing is a well- established aspect of the School's activity. Poyan Yee PhD student profile " I am doing fine arts practice- led research on the subject of art and health care. I find it is a very meaningful project as I can explore the role of art in a health care setting, or the healing potential of art, and extend my artistic practice from a photographer to a curator. The PhD offers me a valuable opportunity to extend my practice as a photographer working in a hospital. My work has been recognised which gives me a lot of confidence and perhaps more importantly, I learn how to do research which is very important to my thinking development. I have learnt a lot from my supervisor, colleagues, people in the hospital, local artists, etc. All these experiences are very rewarding. I am very grateful that I can have this training opportunity and I want to contribute to education by teaching and hopefully carrying on post- doctorate research in the field of community art."

18School of Arts and Social Sciences Historical research in the School is national, international, and transnational in nature and utilises a range of methods, from historical biography to large-scale quantitative analyses of migrant populations. Interdisciplinary research is also a key feature, with research projects involving engagement with literature, politics, sociology and anthropology. Particular research strengths include: early modern European cultural and social history; nineteenth century British, Irish and American history; the history of diasporas, ethnicity and migration in the Anglo- phone world; labour, gender and working- class history; transnational ideologies, activities and movements in modern Europe and America. Media Research in Media involves work across a range of areas including media and cultural technologies. Media histories, popular culture including music and television, celebrity and its corresponding cultures, interactive advertising, media industry working practices and the representation of conflict in media. The School also has an established media practice base and would welcome postgraduate research projects in this area of its activities. Social Sciences Research activity in the Social Sciences is organised around well- established core themes - including criminology, international development, local and regional governance, social activism, sustainable communities, urban regeneration, and work and employment. This research is underpinned by a concern with issues of decision- making, leadership, policy processes, social change, crime and security, social justice, political and economic power and public policy. Master of Research ( MRes) The School offers two intensive research- focused Masters degrees, a MRes English Literature and a MRes History, taught by widely- published scholars in English Literature and History who are experts in their fields. These degrees are ideal preparation for students wishing to pursue doctoral studies, careers in professional research or teaching. On completion of the programme, students will be well prepared to commence work on a PhD.