UCL Sociology Network PhD Group

Get involved with the UCL Sociology Network PhD Group and find out about our forthcoming activities.

Who we are

Coordinating Group PhD Champion

  • Dr. Victoria Redclift, Associate Professor of Political Sociology, Thomas Coram Research Unit, Social Research Institute – IOE 

Group members

  • Joel Acuna Zavaleta, Education, Practice and Society – IOE
  • Emma Bowell, Education, Practice and Society – IOE
  • Darren Flynn, Information Studies – Arts & Humanities
  • Ksenia Sizonova, School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies – Arts & Humanities
  • Haoyue Tan, Social Research Institute – IOE

We are a student-led group, part of the broader UCL Sociology Network. We offer an open and supportive space for doctoral students with interests in sociological research and methods from across the university.

The group is a place to connect for sociologists in every UCL faculty. Our members engage with a variety of thematic specialisms, methodologies, and sociological approaches.

The group aims to create opportunities for:

  • virtual and face-to-face networking
  • peer-to-peer learning
  • cross-departmental collaboration.  
Network of people with a person in the background
Image credit: vegefox.com via Adobe Stock.

What we offer  

We organise many activities, such as:

  • Seminar series. Sociology PhD students have the opportunity to present their work in a range of formats. These events will attract academics from across UCL and other institutions.
  • Methodology sessions. The sessions will consider specific methods in sociology. They will give opportunities to present and offer constructive feedback.
  • Reading groups. The groups will focus on different sociological material in each session. Group members are free to suggest possible content for discussion. They can include key sociological texts, podcasts, short films and much more.
  • Informal spaces and networking. These include coffee meets, online and in-person networking events.

Past events

 

  • 3 June 2025. USN PhD Inaugural Student Conference 2025. The inaugural Sociology PhD Student Conference was an exciting opportunity for participants to share their research, insights, and ideas with peers and faculty in a supportive and engaging environment. Conference themes included: cities, spaces and mobilities; culture, media and society; environment and society; gender and sexuality; history, politics and policy; inequalities and social justice; public health, life course, medicine and illness; race, ethnicity and migration; science, technology and innovation; social identities and disability; sociology of education; sociology of work and economy.
  • 4 October 2024. UCL Sociology PhD Group Welcome Social. An informal and fun start to the new academic year.

  • 19 June 2024. Introductory Workshop. An informal meet-up for members to voice ideas on activities, events, and forms of support for the community. 

Join our group

The UCL Sociology Network PhD Group is run by, and for, its members. The activities we run will evolve to suit our members’ needs. If you have an idea for an activity, please mention it when you sign up for our email updates.

Exterior of the 20 bedford way building

To join the UCL Sociology Network PhD Group

Click to email. usn.phd@ucl.ac.uk