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Research opportunities

The University of Strathclyde’s History Department will consider PhD candidates who have a research topic with a genealogical focus.

The PhD in History with Genealogical Studies is a research area within History but with co-supervision by staff from the Strathclyde Institute of Genealogical Studies, giving you the opportunity to undertake a PhD with a distinctive genealogical dimension to it. (There is scope to do a joint PhD with other departments within the University e.g. Forensic Science. Contact us for details.)

Within the UK, a PhD is a research degree that you can study full-time over 36 months or part-time over 60 months, culminating in a thesis built on original research up to 100,000 words in length.

Students are expected to undertake research that results in a thesis which contributes to the wider literature in the field, thereby making an original contribution to current knowledge. During your research and writing the thesis, you will gain a range of professional skills in research methods, communications, presentation, organisation and other academic specialisms.

All Postgraduate Research Students within the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences are members of the Graduate School and have access to facilities, events, and funding opportunities.

What you'll study

A PhD in history with a genealogical dimension may incorporate one or more of the following areas:

using genealogical techniques and/or sources to advance knowledge in associated areas. This includes historical demography, local history, sociology etc. This research may focus on a particular event, area or question in history viewed through the ‘lens’ of its effect on a group, set of families or individuals
reappraising previous research findings using genealogical research techniques and/or records and tools such as genetic genealogy. These can be historical, genealogical, demographic, etc.
assessing and evaluating newly available or not-often-used resources. These can include archival collections, ways of using software, etc. This research might examine and evaluate primary sources and/or research methods for the enhancement of genealogical practice
assessing and evaluating development in genealogical practice or supporting areas such as archives. This research can include questioning what, why and how genealogists do things, with the aim of delivering a better and more effective service

This is not an exhaustive list. You may wish to select a different focus altogether.