Research and PhD programmes

History at Brunel has established a substantial body of cutting-edge research across broad themes such as: modern and contemporary history with special focus on the rise and fall of empires, regimes, nations and states; the history of political thought; and war and conflict including military history from the ancient to the modern period, counterinsurgency, peace-building, and border conflict.  The impact of our research is achieved through extensive networks involving other researchers and scholars, engagement with civil society actors and advice to the policy-making community. 

Research opportunities for students 

Research students are welcomed to Brunel as valued members of our thriving, research-intensive community. Browse PhD opportunities below and find out about the funding available for students. 

Research in History

Politics and History are by their very nature inherently interdisciplinary areas. Working across disciplines is a central part of our research strategy and helps us to produce innovative and outstanding research. This is also achieved through, firstly, a range of interdisciplinary Research Centre and Research Groups, and, secondly, through collaboration with scholars at other Universities nationally and internationally, and with other organisations. Find below people, projects, groups and publications, and read more about related research to this area.  

Browse our research projects

Meet our experts

Research Publications

Browse our collection of research outputs including PhD theses

Independent assessment of our research quality (REF 2021)

View REF 2021 details for Politics and International Studies (UoA 19)

21st century poachers: How intelligence experts are helping save the rhino

REF 2021

Research groups and centres

African Studies

This research group brings together Brunel’s growing research community that is engaged with the study of Africa

Institute of Communities and Society

The Institute focuses on the social, community, and cultural aspects of pressing contemporary issues including migration and movement, social unrest, intersectional inequalities, and institutionalised poverty.

Intelligence and Security Studies

As an inter-disciplinary research centre, established to deal specifically with intelligence issues, policy and institutions, to promote and develop social science and policy-oriented approaches to intelligence.

International History

We are a group of historians focusing on the fundamental role that identity plays in the modern age, including gender, religious, ethnic and national identity, and the role of boundaries in demarcating collective identities. Our work is highly relevant to analyses of contemporary conflict, as we contribute a historical perspective to studies of conflict over borders or ethnicity.

Magna Carta

We analyse how best to create and maintain just societies that fairly balance both personal freedom and authority, and the rights and responsibilities of individuals and society.

Past in the Present

Our research group aims to promote and share history research and teaching at Brunel and connect the university’s community engaged in the study and teaching of the past on a cross-departmental and interdisciplinary level.

South Asia Studies

We provide a research base for the development of new South Asia specific programmes and teaching, and bring together scholars from across the University working on South Asia from different disciplinary perspectives.

View all

Understanding rural youth identities in India

Completed

21st century poachers: How intelligence experts are helping save the rhino

Completed

The secret state and the people

Ongoing

Writers in British Intelligence

Ongoing

The politics of hydrogen in the UK

Completed

Social, ecological, political, and cultural implications of extinction

Completed

The landscape of violence

Completed

Measuring trust during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ongoing

Unmasking Hajj Amin al-Husseini through his wartime letters and diaries

Completed

Understanding the transnational influence of YWCA of the USA

Completed

Connecting Africa: New Networks for Open Science

Completed

Constituency campaigning at the 2019 general election

Completed

Intelligence analysis and the EU

Completed

A contextual theory of cross-border integration in Poland

Completed

The Covid-19 pandemic and the emergence of anti-lockdown sentiments

Completed

Audience reactions to #ShakespeareLives diplomacy campaign

Completed

Pause

Courses

Intelligence and Security Studies PhD

Politics and History PhD

View all courses