Economic and Social History

Overview

We host one of the largest economic and social history research groupings in the UK. Staff research interests are wide-ranging, including the study of economic development, financial history, energy policy, globalisation, slavery, urban history, consumption, material culture, museums and collecting, leisure, religious belief, popular culture, medicine and disease, gender, sexuality and the family.

The University’s economic and social historians host three research groups: material and visual cultures of the past; enlightenment and popular culture; and economic and social history.

Postgraduate students at this Economic and Social History at The University of Edinburgh have access to:

• A dedicated study and computing lab with printing, copying and scanning facilities, overlooking the Meadows, one of the city’s best-loved green spaces.

• Two research rooms, shared with undergraduates, housing some of our impressive book collections and a small selection of computing facilities.

• A large common room overlooking the Meadows, shared by graduate students and staff.
• Our PhD study room. Subject to available desk space, you may apply after your first year.
• A number of small-scale teaching rooms, well-equipped with facilities such as data projection and smart boards.
• Exhibition areas, filled with artefacts and artwork from our collections.

Career opportunities

Our PhD students develop a highly valued set of research and professional skills which enable them to go on to a wide variety of careers.

Many of our PhD students wish to pursue an academic career, and we have an excellent record of helping our students obtain research and teaching posts in universities in the UK and overseas.

PhD students also develop a portfolio of skills which are highly desirable across a wide range of sectors, from museums and heritage to the civil service, banking and the law.