LICA at night

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Lancaster University

A dynamic and creative community of enquiry, learning and engagement.

Discover the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University

Executive Dean Professor Edward Simpson welcomes you.

News

Left: The cover of Calypso, a new science fiction verse novel by Dr Oliver K. Langmead, out now. Right: Dr Oliver K. Langmead, a Creative Writing Lecturer at Lancaster University.

A brave new world aboard the Calypso puts lecturer in the spotlight

Research into contemporary human space flight, which also included interviews with astronauts, has resulted in a new novel, already receiving national media attention, for a Lancaster University lecturer.
Little girl in a car seat reading a book - happy smile on face

Time for a new chapter in teaching reading?

Synthetic phonics isn’t working well and for children’s reading to improve they need to enjoy it, a Lancaster University linguist warns.
Distinguished Professor Stephen Wilkinson

Leading expert to advise on ethics at national level

A Distinguished Professor at Lancaster University has been appointed to a national working group to assess and advise on the ethical and regulatory issues raised by research using human stem cell-based embryo models (SCBEMs).
Caroline Lucas and her new book, Another England

Green MP will give Lancaster Environment Lecture

Leading environmental campaigner and Britain’s first and only Green MP Caroline Lucas is all set to deliver the 2024 Lancaster Environment Lecture at Lancaster University.  
Spanish Galleon

£1 million grant will unlock uncharted history of the Spanish fleets

Researchers at Lancaster University have secured a £1 million grant to develop Artificial Intelligence approaches to studying colonial Spanish-American history.

 
The image shows Sir Humphry Davy after Sir Thomas Lawrence, National Portrait Gallery (NPG 1573), reproduced by Creative Commons licence and (left) one of his poems on RI MS HD/14/E, p. 97 courtesy of the Royal Institution of Great Britain.

Public invited to shine a light on Sir Humphry Davy project

An opportunity to get ‘hands-on’ with a Lancaster University project which shines a light on the work of Sir Humphry Davy gets underway this month at Lancaster Central Library on Thursday, March 21 from noon to 2pm.

More News

The reputation and influence of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences extends across the world. We are placed in the top 100 in the world for Arts and Humanities, Law, Education, and Social Sciences in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023. We are considered one of the top three universities in the world for Linguistics by the QS World subject rankings 2024, with several other subjects placed in the world top 100.

Many of our subject areas feature in the top ten of UK university league tables, and we have an excellent track record for graduate prospects.

Reputation and Rankings
Staff brainstorming using a glass panel and marker pens

'Remarkable results' for Faculty of Arts and Social Science in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021)

Two departments in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University achieved the highest possible score for impact in the Research Excellence Framework results published on 12 May 2022. The Department of Educational Research and the Department of Linguistics and English Language are both rated ‘outstanding’ for 100% of their research impact and both are rated joint top in the UK for impact. Read more about the notable successes in our other departments.

Read more

Areas of Focus

Our diverse and vibrant Faculty has research strengths across the arts, humanities and social sciences. We hold true to the University’s mission to be a pioneer in challenging established thinking and championing new ideas.

  • Lancaster Arts

    Lancaster Arts has a long-established artistic reputation for the creation, development and presentation of cutting edge contemporary arts.

  • The Ruskin Library, Museum and Research Centre

    Home to the leading collection of the works of John Ruskin (1819-1900), the epoch-defining writer, artist and social thinker.

  • Confucius Institute

    Supporting language learning and enterprise in the North West region and awarded Confucius Institute of the Year 2019.

  • Centre for Child and Family Justice Research

    The Centre’s mission is to progress cutting-edge research to improve the lives of children, young people and families

  • ImaginationLancaster

    Our research centre works with a variety of organisations to provide design-led perspectives on real-world issues and facilitate innovation.

  • School of Architecture

    We are exploring the future of architectural practice through work on issues of global importance, with a focus on ethical and sustainable solutions.

Events

On
Now

Ink on silk painting workshops for small groups

Tuesday 2 January 2024, 1:00pm to Saturday 20 April 2024, 5:00pm
17th Apr

Japanese Nature and Sovereignty Conservation in the East China Sea

Wednesday 17 April 2024, 12:00pm to 1:30pm
18th Apr

Ed Res Book Club - Teaching and Learning for Change

Thursday 18 April 2024, 12:30pm to 1:30pm
19th Apr

Local Landmarks, Global Stories - the 'glocal' Lancaster history tour

Friday 19 April 2024, 12:45pm to 3:00pm
21st Apr

Summer term Lancaster Chinese weekend classes for children (5-11 years old)

Sunday 21 April 2024, 10:00am to Sunday 14 July 2024, 12:00pm

More Events