The Department of Sociology and Philosophy

A growing and highly focused unit specialising in the study of cultural theory and cultural practice, we offer high quality programmes that connect sociology and philosophy to history, politics, classics and theology, and modern languages. More about the department

Research in Sociology and Philosophy

Rated 6th in the country as part of the latest Research Assessment Exercise*, our research clusters around three main themes: cultural and anthropological sociology, philosophy of science and social science as well as culture, science and technology. Exeter is top-ranked for Philosophy of Biology in the UK, and highly ranked internationally by the influential Philosophical Gourmet Report. More about Sociology & Philosophy research.

*RAE 2008 based on percentage of research categorised as 3* and 4*

Teaching of Sociology and Philosophy

We offer undergraduate and postgraduate teaching of world class standard, with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary study. Postgraduate study, Undergraduate study

Research seminars

Next Seminar:
Monday 23rd November,
4.00pm - 6pm, Amory 315
"Forever young? Life extension and the ageing mind"
Prof. Michael Hauskeller,
University of Exeter

Latest News

Dr Matthias Varul delivers a talk on his latest resarch at the Great Western Research Seminar series

Matthias Zick Varul, in a talk at the Great Western Research Seminars on 2nd November, has given an assessment of the role critical social research can play in the further development of the fair trade movement. You can read the full text of his presentation here.

Recent publication by Dr Gisa Weszkalnys

Dr Gisa Weszkalnys has recently published an article on her latest research, titled 'Príncipe eclipsed: Commemorating the confirmation of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity' in Anthropology Today.

SocArts PhD Students’ Publication List Grows

The SocArts PhD students are first authors on an impressive range of published and forthcoming chapters in prominent books and journals. The list includes items in the Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science (Acord), Cambridge Companion to Recorded Music (Bergh) and a wide selection of Oxford University Press Handbooks and Edited Collections including: Mobile Music (Bergh), Audio-Visual Studies (Hara), Creativity (Sutherland), Sound Studies (Hagen) and Music Psychology (Bergh). Ian Sutherland (with Tia DeNora) is preparing a commissioned book for Polity on Music Sociology.

New appointment; Dr Gisa Weszkalnys

The Department is pleased to welcome our new academic, Dr Gisa Weszkalnys, to the University. Gisa Weszkalnys is a social anthropologist with an interest in contemporary socio-technological and governmental forms: from the city and urban planning to interdisciplinary research practices, to the affective temporalities of West African oil economies.

New BA in Archaeology and Anthropology

From 2010/11, a new degree, Combined Honours Archaeology and Anthropology, will be offered (see our Admissions website for more details).

Department's league table success

The Times Good University Guide 2010 has ranked Exeter in the UK's top 10 for Sociology. Philosophy also performed well and was placed 12th. The rankings are based on our performance in key areas such research quality, graduate prospects, entry criteria and student satisfaction. See full story about the University's success.