Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences

The Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences' areas of research include: gender and women's history; histories of refugees, migration and humanitarian studies; European empires and Global world histories; colonial and comparative Indigenous histories; social and political change; political economy; and literature.

Our people

Our global team of scholars are experts in the fields of history, politics, sociology, and literature.

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Higher degree research

IHSS welcomes applications to the PhD and MPhil programs from prospective domestic and international candidates whose research interests align with the research strengths of our academic staff. Applications are accepted year round and scholarships are available.

We strongly encourage applicants to seek out a suitable supervisor by visiting Our People. For further information, please click on the link below.

Study with us

Imperial and Colonial Histories

The Imperial and Colonial Histories research program includes: histories of Indigenous-imperial engagement; settler colonial and transcolonial histories; comparative Indigenous histories; Indigenous biography; colonial travel, mobilities and exchange; missions, colonial governance and law; histories and legacies of empire.

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Japanese artwork.

Gender and Women’s History Research Centre

Gender and Women’s History Research Centre explores the experience of a diverse array of individuals in times past.

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Research Centre for Refugees, Migration and Humanitarian Studies

The Research Centre for Refugees, Migration, and Humanitarian Studies explores the experiences of refugees across the world.

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Political Science

The Political Science program contributes broadly to scholarship in political science, with a nationally unique focus on the subfields of comparative politics and political economy.

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Sociology

The Sociology program generates research on the structure and bases of power in contemporary societies and diverse political arenas, as well as producing major advances in social and political theory.

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Literature

The Literature research program examines English-language literature from the early modern period through to the contemporary era, including: Shakespeare and the English Renaissance; the literature and culture of the long eighteenth century; the history and theory of the novel; environmental literatures and the environmental humanities; imperial and postcolonial studies; Irish studies; American literature; Anglophone literatures in a transnational context.

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East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002

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115 Victoria Parade
Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065