Join our vibrant research culture and contribute to outstanding research.
As a PhD student in the School of Law, you will be part of a supportive and collaborative community and work alongside postdoctoral researchers and academic staff.
Your life in the School
Research community
Recent achievements from our doctoral students:
- Faye Bird recently published an article titled 'Is This a Time of Beautiful Chaos?' Reflecting on International Feminist Legal Methods' in Feminist Legal Studies. Faye was also recently featured on the Cabinet Office Open Innovation Team's blog.
- Selam Abebe participated in the recent meeting of the compliance/implementation committee of the Paris Agreement, after being nominated by the African Group.
- Liam Bagshaw was awarded the Modern Law Review Scholarship in June 2020 to support his PhD study on international law, capitalism and disaster risk.
- Faye Bird was the Prosperity and Resilience Research Theme winner in the University of Reading's PhD Researcher of the Year competition for 2020. Her thesis is titled 'Sexual Violence Under the Islamic State: Troubling Feminism, the UN Security Council and International Law'.
- Teddy Soobramanien has been appointed as team leader (EU Strategies and Negotiations) at the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. His thesis examines WTO law and security interests in the new geoeconomic order.
- Several former University of Reading PhD students have been appointed to lectureships in law in 2020: Faye Bird (University of Lincoln); Michelle Johnson (King's College, London); Zoi Krokida (De Montfort University); Karolina Szopa (University of Winchester).
University of Reading, Law School, provides fantastic academic support and puts the interests of the students first. The friendliness of the environment really surprises me. The atmosphere within the institution is alive and humane while fulfilling academic requirements. Reading, for me, means a total personal advancement and not merely vocational.
Hoshman Ismail
PhD Student
Co-curricular activities
We host a wide range of academic and social events throughout the year, including reading groups, informal lunches and career development opportunities.
You will participate in a variety of discussion groups, work-in-progress seminars and research theme events, as well as the School's own Postgraduate Research Day. Bi-termly PGR lunches allow for informal gatherings with fellow students and staff and are an enjoyable way to feel part of the community.
Presenting your research
The Doctoral and Researcher College hosts the annual Doctoral Research Conference, an event that showcases the variety and excellence of postgraduate research taking place at Reading.
The conference features a number of competitions and presentations including the PhD Researcher of the Year award. Doctoral students from the School of Law have achieved this accolade in recent years.
Another event that celebrates academic excellence is the Doctoral and Researcher College's annual public lecture – the Fairbrother Lecture – delivered by a current or recent postgraduate research student.
We support your development
Max Brookman-Byrne was the University of Reading PhD Researcher of the Year, 2017. Listen to Max talk about his doctoral research into the international law implications of the use of armed drones and his experience of undertaking a PhD at Reading.
Cross-disciplinary research
The School collaborates with other University departments and research centres as well as with governments and external institutions.
Our researchers regularly incorporate aspects of other disciplinary traditions in their work and collaborate on major projects with scholars from other disciplines, including global development, environmental science, international relations, business and financial regulation, computer science and history.
Facilities
Benefit from outstanding resources and support. At the School of Law, you will enjoy exclusive use of excellent facilities, including the University's extensive main library, and study space within Foxhill House, in a dedicated postgraduate study room with computing facilities.
Meet our PhD students
We are proud of our vibrant research culture and welcome high-quality applicants from all over the world.
Life on campus
Our main campus is set on 130 hectares of beautiful parkland, so you'll find plenty of places to relax. Our campus is home to a thriving community and features the Students' Union, Library and places to eat.
Life in Reading
Step off campus and you'll find yourself in a bustling town centre offering a variety of shops, restaurants and activities. We're also well-connected – you can reach London Paddington within half an hour by train.