Public Policy Research

The Department of Political Economy offers supervision for the MPhil/PhD research degrees covering most areas of public policy, drawing on academic expertise across and beyond the School of Social Science and Public Policy. Supervision may be provided from within the Department of Political Economy core team, or jointly with other staff of the School. The Department enjoys close links with a range of think tanks and public bodies where research collaborations may be possible.

The supervisory relationship is central to the development of the student's knowledge base in relation to his or her research topic. Admission to the public policy programme is highly selective and is dependent upon a good match being found between student interests and supervisor capabilities. Each student is allocated a principal supervisor from within the Department of Political Economy. He or she will be qualified and experienced in the relevant research area and responsible for all aspects of supervision, to include giving advice about the nature of research, the level of standards expected, literature and sources, and attendance at taught classes. Each student is allocated a second supervisor who may be a member of the Department, but could be subject specialist drawn from another department within the School of Social Science and Public Policy. Research students have access to a series of graduate seminars and taught programmes in public policy. The Department of Political Economy enjoys close links with a range of think tanks and public bodies where research collaborations may be possible.

The Department of Political Economy provides a master's level course in Research Design in Public Policy which research students are encouraged to take as a supplement to School and College provision.