PhD Geography and Earth Sciences (Science) at Aberystwyth University

The core scientific objective that underpins our research in the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences is to develop understanding of the natural and social environments of Planet Earth, the processes that shape them, and the challenges and processes that result from social and environmental change. We are a transdisciplinary institute, encompassing perspectives and methods from the sciences, social sciences and humanities, focused primarily on the discipline of Geography and its interface with the Earth Sciences, but engaging with, drawing from, and contributing to, cognate disciplines from Archaeology to Physics to Sociology.

The department welcomes questions from prospective research students and successful candidates will be allocated a primary and secondary supervisor based on their research interests. 

We have highlighted the main research clusters below and recommend you search the departmental website for more detailed advice on research opportunities in the Institute. 

Our lecturers are active researchers working at the cutting edge of their disciplines, and you will benefit from being taught the latest geographical theories and techniques. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework assessment (REF 2014) DGES retained its crown of the best Geography department in Wales, with 78% of the research being undertaken classified as either "world leading" or "internationally excellent”. DGES is also in the top ten of UK Geography departments with regard to research power, which provides a measure of the quality of research, as well as of the number of staff undertaking research within the department.

Research Groups

Physical

• Centre for Glaciology
• Quaternary Environmental Change 
• River Basin Dynamics & Hydrology 
• Earth Observation and Ecosystem Dynamics

Social Sciences and Humanities

• Cultural & Historical Geography
• New Political Geographies