School of Area Studies, History, Politics and 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 teaching areas
Explore the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees we offer within the following areas.
English and creative writing courses
Writing has the power to transport readers and listeners to an entirely different time and place. Tailor your studies to suit your goals, and graduate with the knowledge and skills find your dream career.
History, politics and international relations courses
Get the skills, knowledge and opportunities to develop a deep understanding of human behaviour, culture and society, and how they interact.
Or read about postgraduate research opportunities on our Area Studies and International Development, History, Literary Studies and Politics and International Relations postgraduate research degrees pages.
Research
Our research covers multiple disciplines and aligns with the University’s strategic research themes of democratic citizenship, health and wellbeing, sustainability and the environment, security and risk, and future and emerging technologies.
We're proud of our research culture, with a strong commitment to scholarship and publication in both the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) and the Centre for Studies in Literature (CSL), which inform all our teaching and business services. We're also home to the Citizenship, Race and Belonging Research Group, which explores who is considered to belong within the nation-state, and how ‘outsiders’ are perceived and treated.
Our research areas
Explore the work we're doing across the four research areas that sit within the School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature (SASHPL).
English literature
We're researching how literature provides insight and understanding into the lives of other individuals, communities and cultures.
History
We're understanding our society through the study of experiences, culture, values and activities of people throughout history.
Politics and international relations
We're exploring pressing issues in politics and international relations and working with organisations, governments and individuals to find solutions.
Area studies
We're exploring international relations, history, politics, economies, cultures, languages and geography across specific regions. Explore our area studies research.
Our research centres
Much of our exceptional research takes place within the following cross-disciplinary research centres – find out more below.
Centre for European and International Studies Research
We're researching topics such as citizenship, race, language across borders, social theory and transnational politics.
Centre for Studies in Literature
We're researching the history and culture of the English speaking world through literature.
Research project highlights
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Transnational Civil Society Research Project
We're analysing how NGOs and civil society actors influence regional and global politics.
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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.
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Supernatural Cities: Narrated Geographies and Spectral Histories
We're exploring the relationships between cities and the supernatural through texts.
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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.
Our staff
Explore our faculty
Explore the other schools and departments that make up our faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Read more about the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and explore the teaching and research activities that take place within it.
School of Education and Sociology
Find out more about the School of Education and Sociology, and explore the teaching and research activities that take place within the school.
School of Languages and Applied Linguistics
Explore the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics, and learn more about the teaching and research activities that take place within the school.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Explore more about the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, teaching and research activities taking place across the faculty's four schools and institutes.
Contact us
To get in touch, please contact our Faculty office.
Phone: +44 (0)23 9284 2992
Email: hss-enquiries@port.ac.uk