Humanities and Social Science strategy

Our Humanities and Social Science (HASS) strategy builds on our research excellence to combine six interdisciplinary themes that are academic challenging and innovative. They are all priority research areas where Exeter can demonstrate world-leading excellence.The themes also address major global challenges and map well into the priorities of major UK and international funding bodies.

In 2008 17 of our departments were ranked in the top 15 by volume of world-leading activity. English is the highest ranked in the sector for world-leading research, with Archaeology second and Classics and Ancient History third.

Key themes

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Science, Technology and Culture

This theme investigates how life is understood and enacted in a post-genomic and post-human world and explores how expertise and responsibility are distributed in knowledge-based societies.

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Societal and Lifestyle Shifts

This theme analyses and connects change at individual, group, institutional, and societal scales to understand the behavior of people, social groups, and organisations.

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Environment and Sustainability

Research on the challenges of environmental sustainability, causes of degradation and exploitation of the environment, living with change, the ability of society to maintain the environment.

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Global Uncertainties

Research addressing issues around insecurity, instability, uncertainty and rapid, far-reaching and sometimes unpredictable change in an increasingly inter-connected world.

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Medical Humanities

This theme explores approaches to the relationships between individuals, communities and health by looking at the way accounts of social, political, cultural and historical contexts can enhance our understanding.

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Identities and Beliefs

Looking at questions about human behaviour and social interaction: who we perceive ourselves to be, as individuals and groups, and how this shapes the way we behave and relate to others.