Interdisciplinary research

Research excellence across the arts, humanities and social sciences

The Humanities and Social Sciences Strategy has recently been established to drive the interdisciplinary and international dimensions of our world leading research and to foster collaboration with our Science Strategy. Six themes have been identified which address the big problems, challenges and opportunities that face humankind in the 21st century such as resource shortages and inequalities, global power shifts, ageing and sustainable economies.

Medical humanities

Medical Humanities is a growing field, bringing together a number of disciplines and combining them in an interdisciplinary fashion to enhance our understanding of medicine and health. Existing bases are the Centre for Medical History, with a strong record of funding particularly from the Wellcome Trust, and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Study of Sexuality and Gender in Europe.

Science, technology, culture

Our research relating to the interface between the humanities and social science and the physical, natural and life sciences includes Egenis (the ESRC Centre for Genomics in Society), with distinctive epistemological strengths in the history of science. Further cultural and philosophical research on science and society includes animal behaviour, biopolitics and nature. We also have growing expertise in working with artists and technologists, including the Met Office Hadley Centre, in the field of climate change communication.

Environment and sustainability

Within the social sciences and humanities there are researchers from across the disciplines all working on the social science aspects of environmental sustainability. This area provides a real opportunity to link the humanities and social science elements to provide a holistic approach to research on the environment and society. Exeter’s strategic links with the Met Office provide a distinctive advantage, and the new Environment and Sustainability Institute at the Cornwall Campus and the European Centre for the Environment and Human Health create one of the largest groups working in this area in the UK.

Global uncertainties

Examples of world leading research being undertaken at Exeter include international relations and government-to-government diplomacy; Middle East and Islamic world politics; conflict causation, management and regulation; diasporas and social cohesion; maritime history; and military transitions. The emergent work around food security is already developing a strong interdisciplinary presence and is linked to water security through the Centre for Water Systems. We also produce significant work in environmental law and in human rights law. What is distinctive is the sheer breadth of work spanning the humanities and the social sciences, offering the ability to link contemporary and historical study as well as draw together the social, cultural and political aspects of such uncertainties.

Societal and lifestyle shifts

Understanding the behaviour of people, social groups and organisations is hugely significant for society and research at Exeter builds on this by linking changes in individual behaviour to wider social, economic and political shifts. We provide a particular focus on the health and wellbeing aspects of these broader shifts and present a very strong link between research and practice. Distinctive links have also been developed with partner institutions and the ESRC funded Network on Family, Regulation and Society, which involves 28 staff at Exeter, Bath, Bristol and Cardiff.

Identities and beliefs

Issues of identity and belief are not just core concerns for the humanities and social sciences, but are fundamental to the contemporary world and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Work on religious belief and practice includes: Christian; Islam; ancient religion; Indian religious traditions; and esotericism. Research into political and other forms of identity and belief is also covered by our world leading historians along with issues of political and other forms of identity and belief.