School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature

The School of Area Studies, History, Politics & Literature (SASHPL)

Explore the research and teaching activities taking place with our School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature

In the School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature (SASHPL), we provide a supportive and personal environment that promotes the potential of every student. We're a welcoming, collaborative academic community, with teaching delivered by inspiring, expert staff.

Our courses reflect our expertise in research, teaching and learning, and ensure all of our students realise their potential and are set for success. Our culture is built on accountability, fairness, integrity and transparency, and we value equality, inclusion and authentic professional and personal development.

Teaching

We offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses, both on campus and via distance learning. Our programmes focus on making sense of the world in which we live and developing new approaches to better understand and respond constructively to major global, national, and local issues in politics, culture, history, identity, sustainability, and gender.

Our academic and professional staff have close ties with our local community — including employers — so we can offer our students opportunities for work placements, internships, and work-based learning.

Our research areas

Explore the work we're doing across the 4 research areas that sit within the School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature (SASHPL).

English Literature

In a globalised and fast-changing world, we're studying how English literature can provide valuable insight and understanding into the lives of other individuals, communities and cultures.

History

We're studying how everyday people throughout time have responded to upheaval – so we can better understand our own society, and how it may change in the future.

Young girls on a march in Eastern Europe

Politics and International Relations

We're working with organisations, governments and individuals to deal with some of the world's most pressing issues – from reducing the impact of war, to fighting political exclusion.

Area Studies

By studying the international relations, history, politics, economies, cultures, languages and geography across specific regions, our research aims to make sense of the world.

Transnational Civil Society Research Project

We're analysing how NGOs and civil society actors influence regional and global politics.
Port Towns and Urban Cultures

We're researching port towns as sites of social and cultural convergence in partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
Supernatural Cities: Narrated Geographies and Spectral Histories

We're exploring the relationships between cities and the supernatural through texts.
The West Africa Peace and Security Network

We're conducting collaborative research into how academia and policy making can solve peace and security challenges in West Africa.