Unparalleled research quality at Kent
3rd in the UK THE Research Excellence Framework (REF21) rankings
The Complete University Guide 2022 ranked Kent:
- 2nd for Sociology research quality
- 3rd for Social Policy research quality
- 3rd for Social Work research quality
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 ranked Kent:
- 1st for Criminology research quality
- 1st for Sociology research quality
- 1st for Social Work research quality
- 2nd for Social Policy research quality
Spotlight on Supervisors
Below we feature just a small selection of potential supervisors. For a full search, please see our directory of academic staff.
If you are interested in studying for a PhD with us or applying for an ESRC SeNSS scholarship, please contact a potential supervisor with your ideas and a draft proposal (approximately 2,000 words). The proposal should include an introduction, theoretical framework with relevant references, research design and methods, sample, research questions, ethical considerations, and a timeline.
![Profile picture of Dr Beth Breeze](https://media.www.kent.ac.uk/se/32216/BethBreezeheadshotNov2022_lightened_inline.jpg)
Director of the Centre for Philanthropy, Reader in Social Policy
Areas
of Supervision: Philanthropy, Fundraising, Major Donors
![Dr Robert de Vries profile picture](https://media.www.kent.ac.uk/se/15809/RdeVriesProfile_inline.png)
Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Sociology
Areas of supervision: social stratification and social comparisons, cultural consumption, health inequalities, and social attitudes and stereotypes (particularly as regards welfare benefit claimants)
![Vince Miller](https://media.www.kent.ac.uk/se/36394/social-media-chatting-online-blank-profile-picture-head-and-body-icon-people-standing-icon-grey-background-free-vector_inline.jpg)
Reader in Sociology and Cultural Studies
Areas of supervision: Digital work on affect, contagion, imitation, memes, digital labour, ruins and abandonment, and social media more generally. Also urban work on gentrification, high street revitalisation, and community.
![Sweta Rajan-Rankin profile image](https://media.www.kent.ac.uk/se/4304/rajan-rankin-sweta-CANTPORTS132-staff-profile_inline.jpg)
Senior Lecturer in Social Work
Areas of supervision: Race, ethnicity, black identity, migration, belonging; Materiality / material sociology; Visual and sensory methods.
![Marisa Silvestri profile image](https://media.www.kent.ac.uk/se/3580/silvestri-marisa-profile_inline.jpg)
Reader in Criminology
Areas of supervision: Policing and Criminal Justice, Organisational Cultures and Leadership, Critical Diversities, Gender and Crime.
![Miri Song profile image](https://media.www.kent.ac.uk/se/4977/song-miri-084-profile_inline.jpg)
Professor of Sociology
Areas of supervision: ethnic and racial identities, racisms, multiracial people.
![Tara Young profile image](https://media.www.kent.ac.uk/se/3337/young-tara-JDP5888-profile_inline.jpg)
Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice and Criminology
Areas of supervision: Political violence and terrorism; criminological theory; media and violence.