PhD study at Sheffield

Our PhD students are currently researching a range of topics, which address some of the key challenges facing our global society. Meet some of our current and former PhD students and discover more about their research journeys with the University of Sheffield.

Zihuan Zhang

"After graduating from Lincoln, I came to Sheffield for the MA Sociology. During this academic year, I was having so much fun by just learning and thinking about many sociological theories and new sociological research, even though half of it was spent in lockdowns. Precisely because of the great time I have had during the MA, I wanted to spend more time on learning and producing sociological knowledge, which is why I am now studying for a PhD."

Read Zihuan's Story

Sam Aldersley

"If I was to give some advice for new students, it would be to select a research topic that you’re not going to get bored of after a year. In other words, choose something you're passionate about and then immerse yourself into the literature! The demands of a PhD can be challenging, but it's an immensely gratifying feeling when it goes well."

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Julin Huang

"Trust yourself. Trust your supervisors. Always think about how to dismantle a huge project into different small and manageable missions. Most importantly, take care of your mental health and physical health. Don’t overload yourself."

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Sarah Baz

"I decided to stay at the Department of Sociological Studies as it is a really friendly, supportive and research focused department with an excellent research reputation. My supervisors and staff are very committed in supporting students to achieve their best potential and critically engage in research."

Read Sarah's story

A photo of Yanti in her graduation gown and cap.

Yanti Ahmad

"I almost gave up on myself and didn't believe I could pursue my PhD again but after I joined the department of sociological studies the people in the department were supportive and welcoming. The conducive environment, friendly staff, and ambiance of the department also contributed to my settling in very quickly."

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PhD student outside of the Elmfield building

Kwaku Gyening Owusu

"Being a Ghanaian by origin and knowing the UK is home to over 100,000 documented Ghanaians, a case study on the Ghanaian diaspora in the UK and their role in welfare development back home was always going to be an interesting and challenging start off point and a knowledge worth contributing to the social sciences and policy makers."

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Natalie Richardson

"Doing an Undergraduate degree at the University of Sheffield really equipped me with the skills to be able to conduct research and complete a PhD. Moreover, I always felt so inspired by the seminar leaders and lecturers in the Department. Their passion really ignited my own passion for sociology and social research, so it felt an obvious decision to continue my studies here."

Read Natalie's story

Florence Gaughan

"Everyone I speak to about the parenthood and loneliness project has been interested in it. I think the pandemic has really highlighted loneliness as a social problem. I’ve reached out to some charities to work with that all realise the problem of loneliness. People have been very positive and told me that it’s an important thing to do after the pandemic, as people become more isolated in so many ways and obviously, that’s going to affect mums and children in particular."

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Hyacinth Blake

"The Department afforded me the opportunity to conduct meaningful, practical and independent research, while obtaining guidance from an outstanding faculty that helped me to expand my knowledge and adjust to the various unexpected twists and turns that my PhD studies took. I appreciated how down-to-earth and approachable my supervisors were, which was very important in helping me to adjust to life in a country I’d never lived in before."

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Maria-Teresa Ferazzoli

"I would define myself as a 'work in progress' researcher. Fortunately, I am at that stage where I need to move from the protected environment of the PhD life to the stage where you give your research a place in the world. Fortunately, The University of Sheffield and the Department of Sociological Studies have provided me with the confidence and all the skills that I need to develop my career. I feel that whenever I need the Department and my supervisors, they will be there to support me."

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Professor Alan Walker with a group of his PhD students.

Natalija Jarosenko

"I have studied in-work poverty as my PhD subject because millions of men and women in the European Union are living below the poverty line despite being active members of the labour market. Such high levels of the working poverty across the EU is a manifestation of a modern form of poverty that is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing issues across all capitalist countries in the 21st century."

Read Natalija's story