PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Social Research

The PhD in Interdisciplinary Social Research (IDSR) builds on Trent University’s world-class reputation in interdisciplinary scholarship in the social sciences. With a combined emphasis on social inquiry and interdisciplinary research, the IDSR PhD provides a theoretical, methodological and experiential training ground for the development of leading scholarship that builds understanding of key social, material and environmental issues facing societies, both historically and in the present day. As we adapt to an era of profound social, economic and environmental change, leadership and expertise in interdisciplinary perspectives and processes are proving to be paramount for identifying and solving complex social issues. This program provides a grounding in flexible interdisciplinary social research skills that can be applied to address the research and analytic needs of public sector, NGO, community-based and corporate employersDrawing on faculty expertise from Trent’s campuses in Peterborough and Durham as well as several of Trent's established interdisciplinary centres, several Canada Research Chairs and numerous existing Masters programs, the key streams within the Interdisciplinary Social Research PhD program include: Aging Studies; Critical Disability Studies; Early Childhood; Urban Studies; Entrepreneurialism; Socio-legal studies; Socio-cultural Contexts of Health and Wellness; Educational Leadership; Educational Innovation and Reform; Life-course Studies; Housing and Homelessness; Policing and Criminal-legal Systems; Social Determinants of Health Equity; Critical Data Studies.