PhD Cognition and Culture at Queen's University Belfast

The PhD at the Institute of Cognition and Culture is a doctoral research programme in the cognitive science of culture, an interdisciplinary field that explains patterns of cultural stability and variation using cognitive and evolutionary sciences. Research topics include religious beliefs and ritual actions, secularism and atheism, morality and agency. Students work under a supervisory team appointed by the University.

Faculty: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences  |  Department: School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics (Institute of Cognition and Culture)  |  Duration: 3 years full-time (part-time equivalent available)  |  Intake: Entry year 2027/28  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year one: research proposal preparation and group training in research methods, ending with assessment of the proposal. Year two: research and data collection, in the ICC laboratory and then in a distinct cultural context. Year three: analysis and production of a thesis of up to 80,000 words.

Career pathways

Graduates have pursued academic careers, including postdoctoral positions at other leading UK universities.

Official programme page