Research Subjects
01. Economics & Finance
Economics & Finance focuses on how individuals, firms, governments, and markets allocate resources, manage risk, and create value. It explores issues such as market efficiency, financial decision-making, economic policy, investment behaviour, and the role of institutions in shaping economic outcomes. The subject combines theoretical modelling with empirical analysis to address real-world economic and financial challenges.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) The impact of ESG disclosure on firm valuation in emerging markets
b) Monetary policy uncertainty and stock market volatility
c) Behavioural biases in retail investment decision-making
d) Fintech adoption and financial inclusion in developing economies
e) The relationship between corporate governance structures and firm performance
f) Housing market dynamics and affordability in major global cities
g) The impact of AI automation on labour markets and income inequality
02. Business & Management
Business & Management focuses on how organisations operate, compete, and evolve within complex economic and institutional environments. It examines strategy, organisational behaviour, operations, marketing, governance, and performance management, exploring how firms coordinate resources and capabilities to achieve sustainable success. The subject combines theoretical insight with empirical analysis to address managerial challenges across industries and global contexts.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) Strategic responses to digital disruption in traditional industries
b) Organisational culture and employee performance in multinational firms
c) Sustainable supply chain management and corporate responsibility
d) Internationalisation strategies of small and medium-sized enterprises
e) Corporate governance and strategic decision-making
f) Customer experience management in omnichannel retail environments
03. Government & International Relations
Government & International Relations focuses on how political institutions, public policies, and international actors shape governance, cooperation, and conflict in a complex global system. It examines state behaviour, global governance, public administration, international political economy, and the role of non-state actors in addressing transnational challenges. The subject combines theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis to understand how power, institutions, and norms influence political and economic outcomes at domestic and international levels.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) The effectiveness of international sanctions in shaping state behaviour
b) Global governance responses to climate change
c) Foreign direct investment and political risk in developing countries
d) Public policy design and implementation in emerging economies
e) The role of international organisations in crisis management
f) Digital diplomacy and the transformation of international engagement
04. Public Policy & Public Administration
Public Policy & Public Administration focuses on how governments, public institutions, and civil society design, implement, and evaluate policies to address societal challenges. It examines policy formulation, public management, governance, regulatory frameworks, service delivery, and the role of institutions in shaping outcomes for citizens. The field combines theoretical frameworks with empirical research to understand how policies affect social, economic, and political systems, and how administrative processes can be made more effective, accountable, and inclusive.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) The impact of digital government services on citizen engagement and trust
b) Policy responses to social inequalities in urban education systems
c) Evaluating the effectiveness of public health interventions during pandemics
d) Regulatory frameworks for sustainable urban mobility
e) Governance of AI and public trust in automated decision-making
f) Collaborative governance in addressing climate change at local and national levels
g) Public sector innovation and the adoption of AI in service delivery
05. Sociology & Social Sciences
Sociology & Social Sciences focuses on how societies function, how social structures and cultural norms shape human behaviour, and how individuals and groups interact within complex social systems. It examines inequality, social change, identity, institutions, and collective action, using both qualitative and quantitative methods to understand social dynamics and inform policy interventions.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) The role of social media in shaping youth political participation
b) Gender inequalities in workplace leadership and career progression
c) Community responses to migration and integration challenges
d) Social determinants of educational outcomes in urban contexts
e) Patterns of civic engagement in multicultural societies
f) The impact of informal networks on social mobility
06. Environment, Geography & Urban Studies
Environment, Geography & Urban Studies focuses on the interaction between human societies and the natural environment, the spatial organization of economic and social activities, and the planning and management of urban areas. It examines environmental policy, sustainable development, urbanization, land use, and climate adaptation, combining empirical research with spatial analysis to address local, regional, and global challenges.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) Climate change adaptation policies in coastal cities
b) Urban green infrastructure and community well-being
c) Spatial inequality and access to public services
d) Renewable energy adoption and local governance frameworks
e) Migration patterns and urban housing pressures
f) Environmental justice and resource management in developing regions
07. Health Policy & Health Economics
Health Policy & Health Economics focuses on how health systems, policies, and economic factors influence the delivery, quality, and equity of healthcare. It examines healthcare financing, access, efficiency, policy design, and evaluation, combining economic modelling with empirical research to improve health outcomes and inform decision-making in public and private health sectors.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) The economic impact of universal health coverage policies
b) Cost-effectiveness of preventive health interventions
c) Health disparities and access to care in rural communities
d) Policy responses to emerging infectious diseases
e) Incentives for innovation in pharmaceutical and medical technology markets
f) Evaluating mental health service provision and funding models
08. Data Science & Quantitative Methods
Data Science & Quantitative Methods focuses on the development and application of computational, statistical, and analytical techniques to extract insights from complex data. It examines data modelling, machine learning, predictive analytics, and evidence-based decision-making across social, economic, and organisational contexts. The field combines theoretical frameworks with practical analysis to address real-world problems and inform policy and business strategy.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) Predictive models for financial risk assessment
b) Machine learning applications in public health policy
c) Big data analytics for urban planning and transportation
d) Network analysis of social media interactions and misinformation
e) Evaluating the effectiveness of AI-driven marketing strategies
f) Quantitative models of climate risk and adaptation
09. Psychology & Behavioural Science
Psychology & Behavioural Science focuses on understanding human thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and how these are influenced by individual, social, and environmental factors. It examines decision-making, motivation, cognitive processes, mental health, and social behaviour, combining experimental, observational, and applied research to inform interventions in education, health, organisations, and public policy.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) Behavioural interventions to improve financial decision-making
b) Cognitive biases in organisational leadership
c) Mental health outcomes and workplace stress management
d) Social influence and online behaviour in digital communities
e) Behavioural strategies to promote sustainable consumption
f) Cross-cultural differences in risk perception and decision-making
10. Gender Studies
Gender Studies focuses on the social, cultural, economic, and political dimensions of gender, exploring how gender identities and relations shape experiences, institutions, and power dynamics. It examines inequality, intersectionality, policy, and representation, using interdisciplinary approaches to understand and address gender-based disparities and promote social justice.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) Gendered impacts of labour market policies
b) Representation of women and minorities in media and politics
c) Intersectional analysis of health outcomes and access to care
d) Gender-based violence prevention policies and interventions
e) Feminist approaches to urban planning and public space design
f) Workplace policies and organisational culture for gender equity
11. Media & Communications
Media & Communications focuses on how information, culture, and technology shape public discourse, social behaviour, and organisational strategies. It examines journalism, digital media, communication theory, media policy, and the role of media in society, combining theoretical frameworks with empirical research to understand the production, dissemination, and impact of information in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) The influence of social media algorithms on public opinion
b) Digital storytelling and audience engagement in journalism
c) Media representations of climate change and sustainability
d) Communication strategies in crisis management
e) Political advertising and voter behaviour in elections
f) The impact of misinformation and fact-checking initiatives
12. Law & Justice
Law & Justice focuses on the principles, institutions, and processes that govern legal systems and shape the administration of justice. It examines legal theory, comparative law, human rights, regulatory frameworks, and the intersection of law with social, economic, and political issues, using both doctrinal and empirical approaches to analyse legal outcomes and inform policy and reform.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) The effectiveness of international human rights treaties
b) Regulatory responses to emerging technologies and AI
c) Access to justice and legal aid in marginalized communities
d) Comparative analysis of criminal justice systems
e) Corporate governance and compliance frameworks
f) Law and policy responses to environmental challenges
13. Philosophy & Culture
Philosophy & Culture focuses on the critical examination of ideas, values, and practices that shape human societies. It explores ethical, epistemological, and cultural questions, as well as the role of philosophy in understanding art, literature, religion, and social norms. The field combines theoretical reflection with applied analysis to examine meaning, morality, and cultural transformation across historical and contemporary contexts.
Examples of research topics from our previous students include:
a) Ethical implications of AI and emerging technologies
b) Philosophy of science and the interpretation of knowledge
c) Cultural identity and the politics of representation
d) Aesthetic theory and contemporary art practices
e) Comparative ethics and global justice
f) The influence of philosophical thought on public policy
What We Have Here for You
Select your academic research pathway through either The Collaborative Research Cohort for group-based, high-impact collaboration, or 1-on-1 The Private Scholar Track for focused, personalised discovery.
The Collaborative Research Cohort
Length: 12 Weeks
Size of group: 2-5
Format: 1hr lecture/seminar per week with a world-leading professor; 30 mins research support from research assistant
Acceptance: <20% overall
The Private Scholar Track & Publication Programme
Length: 12 Weeks or 12 Weeks + Additional Publication Prep Weeks if Enrolled on Publication Programme
Size of class: 1-on-1
Format: 1hr lecture/seminar per week with a world-leading professor; 30 mins research support from research assistant
Acceptance: < 25% overall