Range of languages and geographical regions
The research interests of our staff embrace European languages and cultures, as well as world regions in which languages originating from Europe are spoken, for example Latin America, the Caribbean, the Maghreb and parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
We also have considerable expertise in other world languages and cultures like Chinese and Arabic.
Research centres
SELCS-CMII's research centres bring together 11 languages with many different disciplines, contributing to a global understanding of languages and cultures.
PhD students and postdoctoral fellows
Our PhD and MPhil students explore specialist subjects across our vast areas of expertise, providing a detailed look at topics that span languages, culture and global issues.
Research projects
Find out more about some of the current research projects that have been awarded funding – ranging from Copernicus’s Library to Colonial Film.
Research Clusters
Discover Research Clusters ranging from Medieval and Early Modern Exchanges to World Literature and Cultural Studies.
Recent publications
SELCS-CMII recent publications range from 'How the Freemasons Made the Modern World' to 'Comedy and Trauma in Austria and Germany after 1945' via 'How to Rig an Election' and many more.
Research environment
The SELCS-CMII research environment includes libraries, facilities, research spaces, seminars and training.
Latest news
SELCS Lecturer, Dr Mathelinda Nabugodi, wins Philip Leverhulme Prize 2025
The prestigious award has been conferred to Dr Nabugodi for her work on Romanticism, the Black Atlantic, cultural impacts, and legacies of the transatlantic slave economy.
23 Oct 2025
SELCS Students Work with Théâtre National de Strasbourg
SELCS students visited the Barbican to see a play in French, and took part in an acting workshop in French with one of the performers.
03 Oct 2025
UCL Arts & Humanities Welcomes New Students with a Week of Events
Last week, we were delighted to welcome new students to UCL Arts & Humanities with a series of events organised by our Faculty Education and Student Experience team.
01 Oct 2025