Graduate School
Area Studies research overview
The School of Languages and Area Studies (SLAS) is one of the largest, well-established departments of its kind in the United Kingdom. We currently undertake research and teaching of six languages (French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish and English as a foreign language) and associated area studies such as applied linguistics, francophone, communication and language skills, translation and technical communication studies.
We offer a dynamic environment for the study and research of modern languages and area studies, with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. In the latest National Student Survey (NSS), the University of Portsmouth came equal third in the UK for European Languages and Area Studies. Our programmes recorded very high levels of satisfaction among students graduating in 2009, with staff availability and pastoral support being especially appreciated by our postgraduate research students.
For more information about how to apply please contact the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences using the Contact us page.
If you have any questions about studying for a research degree at the University of Portsmouth, please complete our enquiry form.
Key Facts
RAE Rating: Our researchers work under the umbrella of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR). Our European Studies research was ranked top in the UK in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, according to the Research Power Index compiled by the highly respected journal Research Fortnight. CEISR is also the largest centre for European Studies research in the United Kingdom.
Academic staff: 60, please see link to staff list webpage.
Postgraduate research students: 29
Internal links:The School of Languages and Area Studies has strong links with the four research centres in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: the Centre for European Studies and International Research (CEISR), the Centre for Studies in Literature (CSL), the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies and the School of Education and Continuing Studies.
External links: The research projects of our languages and area studies researchers have been funded by major United Kingdom and European research councils, such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the European Social Fund (ESF), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), UNESCO, the British Academy and various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Resources
The School has received major funding for its research over the past years, which has allowed us to make a major investment in modern, state-of-the-art, multimedia digital language laboratories and up-to-date classrooms with the latest teaching technology. In addition, our postgraduate research students have full access to the University and Faculty facilities, including the University Library's resources.
You, along with all the Faculty's full time postgraduate research students (pooled hot desk for part time students) will be based at the Postgraduate Research Centre in Park Building. This will allow you to immerse yourself in a thriving research environment and work in your own allocated workspace with computer and printing facilities.
Our postgraduate research students take part in the Faculty's research seminars and we hold an annual 'Postgraduate study half-day', where you will have the opportunity to present your research in progress to your peers, as well as to academic staff from across the Faculty, and receive feedback on it. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences also provides many teaching opportunities to support the development of our research students as future academics.
Research Centres
Centre for European Studies and International Research (CEISR)
The Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) was established in 1997 and is a major interdisciplinary centre for research on Europe, its diasporas and its relations with the wider world. CEISR is the largest centre of its kind in the United Kingdom, bringing together over 70 researchers from across the University including linguists, historians, security experts, sociologists, political scientists, education specialists, anthropologists, criminologists and specialists in area studies.
E - language learning Centre @ SLAS (ELLC)
The E-language Learning Centre (ELLC) establishes networks and exchanges knowledge and expertise in language learning through blended and virtual environments. ELLC embraces new technologies in a variety of innovative ways, using a wide range of information and communication tools. The Centre, in coooperation with the School, hosts several events related to different aspects of language learning in blended and virtual environment, such as the Interactive Multi-media for Language Learning workshop and the Multi-media “workference”.
Research Areas
European Studies
Our researchers work and supervise projects in fields such as: History and politics of Europe; The European Union as a transnational space; Colonialism and post-colonialism; EU language and policy.
Language and Linguistics
If your interests lie in the area of language and linguistics, we can offer excellent supervision in fields including: Discourse analysis, Stylistics; Pragmatics; Semantics; English language teaching; Corpus linguistics.
Sociolinguistics
Our sociolinguistics researchers are working and supervising research in fields such as: Interaction of language; Polity and people; How language both shapes and is shaped by the political, social and cultural context in which it develops; Language policy and planning.
Translation
If your research interest is translation, you are in good hands. Our researchers offer high quality supervision in fields including: Translation history; Literary translation; Translation paratexts; Audiovisual translation and subtitling; Translation as a theme in narrative cinema.