MPhil/PhD Data, Networks and Society

From social media to AI and big data, we’ve seen the transformation of the media, communications and technological landscape over the past 10 years. This interdisciplinary programme explores the social impact of the datafication and digitisation of our society. You’ll analyse how data and networks shape social structures, influence regulation and transform our lives. You’ll also look at the benefits and risks of data-driven and networked technologies in either addressing or exacerbating social, political and economic inequalities. Optional courses allow you to delve into topics such as digital platforms, governance, and technology and justice. The programme includes rigorous training in quantitative and qualitative data analytics. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute original research to the field on the role of data and networks in society. Current PhD students are completing research on wide-ranging topics from utopian and dystopian discourses around Meta (aka Facebook) to gender inequalities in rural India driven by the digitisation of education. You’ll begin on the MPhil and progress to the PhD (subject to meeting certain requirements). We have a welcoming, supportive community of students, researchers and world-leading academics. Our department is rated top in the UK and sixth in the world for media and communications (QS World University Rankings 2025). In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 96% of our research was rated "world-leading" or "internationally excellent". This is partly achieved through our commitment to promoting diversity in our doctoral cohort as well as our faculty, we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups and perspectives. Our graduates pursue interesting and challenging careers in academia, government and industry, influencing policymaking and research.

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is a high merit (68 per cent) in a taught master's degree (or equivalent) in social science or humanities and normally a distinction in the dissertation.