Human Geography and Sustainability Research

Course summary

The complex challenges facing the world today - including social and spatial inequalities, new migration flows, climate change and pollution - have led society to question the interactions between humans and the environment, demanding answers and new ways of working that human geography can provide.

Studying the ways in which people interact in economic, political, social, and spatial contexts can help us identify issues and challenges, and understand what causes them. Only then, can we develop solutions to improve long-term human wellbeing and protect the planet as a whole, distributing and managing our natural resources more equitably and sustainably.

Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the MA in Human Geography and Sustainability Research not only draws on social sciences more generally, but also brings together Keele’s internationally recognised expertise across the two distinct disciplines of human geography and sustainability.

Generic and subject-specific research training prepares you to consider why and how humans behave, interact with, shape and affect their surroundings; studying our many diverse environments, habitats and resources (both natural and man-made).

Hands-on practical research equips you with valuable experience and skills to identify innovative solutions to broader societal problems. Such measures could include the development of new approaches for securing migrant settlement and integration, tackling rural deprivation, addressing health inequalities and / or generating new forms of sustainable energy.

As part of our exciting advanced traineeships, you'll work with a research mentor on one of our 'live' research projects. Typical activities may include support to collect and analyse data, conduct literature reviews, assist the preparation of future funding bids, or to prepare 'key findings' reports.

The Dissertation provides a further opportunity to undertake an extended independent research project with freedom to come up with your own idea for subject matter or choose from a list of selected research projects. These may include: animal geographies; rural or urban geographies (including rural and urban planning); post-colonial geographies; health geographies; temporal geographies of 'busyness'; children’s geographies; plastics and recycling geographies; geographies of international migration; geographies of responsibility and care; and geographies of mobility (and e-mobility).

You'll graduate with cutting-edge insight into the latest academic, policy and practice-related discussions, debates and developments in the fields of human geography and sustainability, together with the advanced research skills required for a career in the public, private or third sector. This includes positions with national and local government, other public bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector consultancies, research and policy institutes, charitable and community organisations.

Accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the course is also an ideal choice for those wishing to pursue a PhD in human geography or sustainability and environmental studies. The programme complies with the ESRC's research training requirements for PhD scholarships (commonly termed +3), and is also suitable as the master's year as part of an ESRC scholarship award that covers both the master's and PhD (commonly termed a 1+3 award).

Other courses you may be interested in:

• MSc Biodiversity and Conservation
• MSc Geoscience Research
• MA Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.

Your career

In our rapidly changing world, there is significant demand for individuals with specialist knowledge and understanding of how human environments function globally and locally, able to analyse and interpret data to predict and find solutions to a range of social, political, economic and sustainable issues.

Graduating from the MA in Human Geography and Sustainability Research places you in an ideal position to work in a wide range of public, private and third sector settings, for charities, voluntary organisations, NGOs, local or national government, government agencies, multinational companies and other commercial enterprises.

You'll be able to contribute the insight required to shape environmental policy, town planning, transport, housing, environmental services and recycling, regeneration and economic development.

The transferrable skills you will explore in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity, will equip you to find work across a wide range of professions, from business and management, to systems analysis, academia, journalism or marketing.

Accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and compliant with the research training requirements for Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) PhD scholarships, the MA is an excellent route for those who wish to progress onto further study at PhD level.

Roles you may find interesting:

• Academic
• Business Analyst
• Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioner
• Civil servant (e.g. Communities, Treasury, Ministry of Defence)
• Distribution manager
• Energy assessor
• Environmental consultant
• Environmental sustainability specialist
• Flood and risk management
• International mapping officer
• Local government manager
• Project manager
• Research associate
• Senior technical manager
• Surveyor
• Sustainability consultant
• Teacher
• Technician
• Tourism manager / specialist
• Transport Planner