Program Overview
The Interdisciplinary Social Research Ph.D. program at Trent University fosters interdisciplinary perspectives and prepares students for research and leadership roles in academia, professional settings, and organizations addressing complex social issues. It emphasizes mentorship, experiential learning, and advanced research capacity development, equipping graduates with a comprehensive understanding of social, material, and environmental challenges.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Interdisciplinary Social Research Ph.D. is an innovative and truly interdisciplinary program that addresses social issues of the past, present, and future. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary perspectives and processes for identifying and solving complex social issues in an era of profound social, economic, and environmental change. This program is a theoretical, methodological, and experiential training ground for developing leading scholarship that aims to build an understanding of key social, material, and environmental issues facing societies, both historically and in the present day.
Key Features/Highlights:
- Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches: The program offers approaches for examining complex social issues, both historically and in the present day.
- Pathways into academic and professional research positions: The program prepares students for positions in public, private, and civil society sectors, including education and caring professions, business and management, and the social sciences.
- Mentorship, interdisciplinary, and experiential learning opportunities: The program provides opportunities for students to engage with a range of faculty from Trent's social science programs, professional schools, and research centers.
- Advanced research capacity and leadership: Graduates will be equipped to provide advanced research capacity and leadership in a wide range of social and professional fields.
Careers:
Graduates from the program are well-positioned for careers in the following areas:
- Academic research positions: They can pursue positions in universities and research institutions.
- Professional research positions: They can find opportunities in public, private, and civil society sectors, including education and caring professions, business and management, and the social sciences.
- Leadership roles: They can assume leadership roles in organizations focused on social and environmental issues.
Other:
The program emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities of social issues and developing innovative solutions to address them.
Trent University
Overview:
Trent University is a public university located in Peterborough and Durham, Ontario, Canada. It is recognized as Ontario's top undergraduate university, known for its personalized learning experience and commitment to fostering global citizens. Trent University offers a transformative learning environment that prepares students for leadership and career success.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
Trent University offers a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community. Students have access to a wide range of opportunities to get involved, gain career experience, and make lifelong connections. The university boasts picturesque natural environments at both its Peterborough and Durham campuses, providing a unique and engaging learning experience.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Top-ranked undergraduate university in Ontario:
Trent University consistently ranks highly for its overall reputation and academic excellence.High graduate employment rate:
95% of Trent graduates are employed within two years of graduation.Personalized learning experience:
The university emphasizes small class sizes and close faculty-student relationships, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment.Strong focus on global citizenship:
Trent University prepares students to be responsible and engaged citizens of the world, equipped to address global challenges.Academic Programs:
Trent University offers over 100 academic programs across various disciplines. The university is particularly known for its strengths in the following areas:
Environmental Studies:
Trent University is a leader in environmental research and education, with a strong focus on sustainability and conservation.Social Sciences and Humanities:
The university offers a wide range of programs in areas such as history, political science, psychology, and sociology.Arts and Culture:
Trent University has a strong arts and culture scene, with a vibrant theatre program, music ensembles, and visual arts studios.Other:
Trent University also offers online learning options, allowing students to access over 100 courses year-round. The university is committed to inclusivity and diversity, with initiatives such as the installation of an ablution station for the Muslim community on campus.
Entry Requirements:
- Master's degree: A master's degree in social sciences or a related discipline with at least A- (80%) overall.
- Aptitude: Demonstrated aptitude for theoretical inquiry and applied scholarship.
- Research interest: An area of intellectual and research interest consonant with the emphasis and aims of the program.
- Faculty connection: Students are encouraged to identify a faculty member they have determined as a good fit to act as a supervisor. Ideally, prospective students will have made contact with that faculty member in advance of submitting their plan of study and this faculty member has agreed to support the application.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- Proficiency in English usage, both written and oral, is essential to pursue graduate studies at Trent University.
- Applicants who completed two or more years of post-secondary education at a university in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the USA are exempt from this requirement.
- If you have completed two or more years of post-secondary education at a university where the primary language of instruction is English, the School of Graduate Studies is prepared to consider alternate proof of English language proficiency.
