Applying for postgraduate research in Law

At Keele School of Law, postgraduate researchers are part of a supportive and interdisciplinary research environment. Our research spans socio-legal, theoretical, doctrinal, empirical and participatory approaches, with a strong emphasis on real-world impact and social justice.

This page provides guidance on preparing a research proposal, exploring funding opportunities and applying for postgraduate research in Law at Keele.

The Keele School of Law is recognised for its strengths in socio-legal, theoretical, and empirical research, with a strong emphasis on real-world impact and interdisciplinary collaboration. Our research spans a wide range of methods, from doctrinal legal analysis to qualitative, empirical, and participatory approaches, and addresses pressing contemporary challenges in law and society.

Our core research areas include:

Ethics, Health and Social Care
Law and Society Research and Methodology
Social Justice and Human Rights
International and European Law
Legal Education, Innovation and Practice

We encourage prospective applicants to explore our Academic Staff pages to identify potential supervisors, and our Research Students pages to learn more about current doctoral projects.

PGR study in Law at Keele is further supported by the Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Keele Doctoral Academy, which provide training, development opportunities, and a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment.

Writing a Research Proposal

Your research proposal is a key part of your application. It should clearly communicate your research idea, its significance, and how you plan to carry it out.

We recognise that applicants may come from different educational systems and research backgrounds. Your proposal does not need to be perfect, but it should demonstrate:

awareness of key literature or debates in your area
a clear research focus or question that makes an original contribution to existing literature
an indication of how you plan to approach the research
a realistic sense of what can be achieved within a PhD

Word limit: 1,500 words (excluding bibliography)

Suggested structure:

Research Context
Research Aims & Questions
Methodology
Research Plan
Bibliography

If you are unsure about expectations, you are welcome to contact us for informal guidance before applying.

Studentship Opportunities

The Keele School of Law is part of the Socio-Legal Studies Pathway of the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP).

NWSSDTP studentships provide full funding for doctoral study and are highly competitive. We strongly encourage early preparation and engagement with potential supervisors.

If you are interested in applying, please contact:

Dr Abigail Pearson (NWSSDTP Socio-Legal Studies Pathway Representative) - a.v.pearson@keele.ac.uk

Please note that to be considered for funding, you must also submit a formal application for PhD study in Law at Keele.

Further information

For enquiries, please contact Dr Ezgi Taşcıoğlu, Postgraduate Research Lead for Law: e.e.tascioglu@keele.ac.uk.