LICA at night

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Lancaster University

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

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.

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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 2022.

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

Reputation and Rankings

Welcome from our Executive Dean, Professor Paul Connolly

Welcome to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University. We are a vibrant and diverse Faculty, consistently ranked among the top 100 globally. We share a commitment to better understanding and improving the human condition, our cultures and the wider nature of society.

We have a strong sense of place combined with an international outlook. We are particularly proud of our role as a civic university. Our teaching and research are shaped by our wide range of external partnerships with communities, voluntary and community organisations, professional bodies, business and industry.

We are passionate about interdisciplinarity and working with our students and our external partners to: create a rich, relevant and challenging educational experience; generate new insights and understanding through our research; and co-produce innovative responses to many of society’s key challenges.

Through our education programmes, research and engagement activities we are driven by a desire to help everyone reach their full potential and contribute fully to an open, inclusive, culturally enriched, creative, sustainable and connected world.

I would encourage you to explore our Faculty website and check out our Departments and Specialist Centres. Whether you are a student, academic, PhD researcher or professional services staff, we hope you will join us in our dynamic and creative community of enquiry, learning and engagement.

Professor Paul Connolly, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

News

Dr Azelina Flint with Dr Yarber

Sacred art exhibit celebrates diversity during Pride month

Lancaster Priory provided a special backdrop for an exhibition, curated by Lancaster University, to celebrate queer and ethnic minority women in religion.
Blackboard showing the word Brexit with a zig zag line cutting through it and set against a European Union flag style blue backdrop with gold stars

‘An open wound’ – study reveals scars on EU migrants in post-Brexit Britain

A new picture of EU migrants living in post-Brexit Britain, presented by experts from the University of Birmingham and Lancaster University, reveals the enduring scars that leaving the EU has left on its citizens living in the UK. 
Four

Life Survey - helping shape the future of our region

A Lancaster University project, capturing an in-depth picture of how people live and work in two northern local authority districts, will help shape the future of the area.
Colourful and mystical artwork background

Future Places Centre invites public to look ahead and Reimagine Landscapes

A major conference which brings together a diverse range of voices, including the public, to help reimagine relationships with the landscape during times of unprecedented change will be held at Lancaster University.
The show

Creative Re-Boot! on offer at student showcase

Final year Art, Design, Film and Theatre students at Lancaster University invite you to ‘Re-Boot!’ this month with a celebratory showcase of their work. 
ICRI-HASS Conference logo

LAEL students present their research at 2nd ICRI-HASS Conference

On 1st and 2nd of June postgraduate students from Lancaster University, Sunway University and National University of Malaysia presented their original research work in the fields of Arts, Huminites and Social Sciences.

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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.

  • Distance and Online Courses

    Our expertise and experience ensure a high quality learning experience.

  • Faculty Placements and Internships

    The Faculty has an outstanding track record on graduate employment, and supports employability in a variety of ways.

  • Eden North

    Together with Eden North and local partners we are developing an educational programme that supports a shared vision for the future of the community.

Events

30th Jun

Decolonisation in Higher Education Workshop

Thursday 30 June 2022, 10:45am to 3:30pm
1st Jul

Lancaster Translation and Intercultural Communication Conference

Friday 1 July 2022, 7:00am to 10:00am
5th Jul

Stories4Policy: Speculative futures for engaging with risk and uncertainty

Tuesday 5 July 2022, 9:00am to Wednesday 6 July 2022, 5:00pm
7th Jul

Future Places Centre invites public to look ahead and Reimagine Landscapes

Thursday 7 July 2022, 9:00am to Friday 8 July 2022, 4:00pm
7th Jul

Pianist Siqian Li concert as part of Gaia: Festival of the Earth at Lancaster Priory

Thursday 7 July 2022, 7:00pm to 8:00pm

More Events

Coronavirus

Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by the global pandemic. Throughout this very difficult time our priority has been to protect the health and wellbeing of our community, while continuing to provide high quality teaching and research.

Latest Covid-19 updates from Lancaster University