PhD ARCHITECTURE

Research centres

Research in the area of architecture is carried out by specialist centres. The majority of academic staff belong to one or more of these and research students can expect to join a small team working on particular problems.

• Architecture

Research areas and themes where we are able to offer supervision include:

• City depiction, design, and description
• Architectural pedagogy, and design studio culture
• Digital architecture, fabrication, and design research
• Rethinking sustainable practice: adaptation, conservation, and architecture
• Visualisation; augmented reality; 3D modelling; integrated project delivery; virtualisation
• Architectural design as cultural product
• The city as consumer
• Structure as space: architecture, geometry, technology

A member of staff, who will be an expert in the chosen field, is directly responsible for guiding and supporting your research programme. As a research student you'll become part of our thriving academic community.

A PhD by definition, is an original contribution to knowledge; the ethos of originality and innovation is fundamental to our work in architecture. A research degree is of course different from a taught course, and research students are expected to self-direct their learning with support from their supervisory team.

We're ranked 2nd amongst London Modern Competitors for Research Intensity in Architecture (Complete University Guide 2021).

Read more about research in the School of the Built Environment and Architecture.

Entry Level Requirements

Careers

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
• Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Research skills development

All research students are required to participate in a Key Skills Development programme aimed at developing transferable skills, in addition to those employed in carrying out research. Training in the range of research methodologies is available through the frequent research seminars held on campus.

When necessary, the research student can audit modules in relevant Masters courses available within the School and, in particular, modules on research methodology.  In some cases, research students are encouraged to follow other courses available within the University (or externally) aimed at improving their general expertise in their chosen areas.

In addition, they may be encouraged to follow language courses aimed at improving their oral and written skills - both essential in their future careers as academics, writers, critics, and progressive professional practitioners.

Transferable skills

A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking and intellectual synthesis, and the ability to turn criticism of others’ work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career.  The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, developing a robust new thesis, or a new methodology for considering architectural paradigms can be highly rewarding.

Attending conferences

Research students are often sponsored to attend national and international conferences, where they may both meet leading researchers in their fields and present their own research findings as work in progress.  The work of all research students in relation to agreed outcomes is formally monitored by the University's Research Degree Committee.