Doctoral study in Sociology

Why study with us?

We were placed in the top 100 in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2020.

As a doctoral candidate, you'll benefit from: financial support for research expenses through PReSS funding; high-calibre supervision practices; and the networks and expertise of our world-class academic researchers.

Research opportunities

We welcome PhD research proposals in areas such as:

  • Critical social theory
  • Critical theories of psychiatry, mental illness, and professional power
  • Cultural sociology
  • Environmental Sociology
  • Ethnicity, national identity, racism and immigration
  • Feminist and queer theory
  • Gender, sexualities and family life
  • Labour, work and organisations
  • Māori and Pacific student success in higher education
  • Marxist sociology
  • Medical Sociology
  • Social policy and citizenship
  • Science and Technology Studies
  • Sociology of disaster
  • Settler colonial studies and decolonisation
  • Social class
  • Youth sociology
  • Youth violence prevention

Our people

A large number of high-calibre researchers work in Sociology at the University of Auckland.

Past research topics

Scholarships and awards

There are several scholarships you may be eligible for when you decide to pursue your PhD in Sociology:

Help and advice

Our friendly staff will provide you with advice on enrolling in your PhD at Student Hubs.

If you would like to discuss your plans for your doctoral research you can contact our PhD Adviser.

Apply for doctoral study