Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Lancaster University

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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

Dr Derek Hird

Familiar face at the helm of Confucius Institute in interim role

A familiar face will be returning to Lancaster University’s Confucius Institute this week in the role of Interim Director.
Image shows Laura Clancy on the right with the front cover of her book which shows a beige castellated buiding on a brown background

Monarchy comes under the microscope in new book

A new book, written by a Lancaster University lecturer, which examines the British monarchy’s place in today’s society will be published later this month.
Professor Simon Bainbridge (left) and Michael Portillo outside Greta Hall, Keswick, the home of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge from 1800-1803 and the base for many of his pioneering mountaineering adventures.

Professor on right track to provide BBC TV insight on Lake District poet

A Lancaster University professor is on track to help railway guru Michael Portillo uncover the delights of Cumbria in the new series of Great British Railways Journeys on BBC TV.
Author Bella Lack is seen holding a small insect and they are set against a blurred leafy green backdrop - the image also shows the front cover of Bella

Initiative will see global platform for leading voices

The creation of an exciting new Lancaster International Lecture Series has been developed through a collaboration between Lancaster University and Litfest, Lancaster’s renowned literature festival.
Images are of Professor Lauren Devine (left) and Professor Michaela Benson

‘Outstanding’ social scientists elected to receive high honour

Two professors from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University are to be honoured for excellence in their fields and their substantial contributions to social science for public benefit.
An image of Professor Joe Burton on the left and abstract lines and dots on the right, on a dark blue background

UK law enforcement inadequately equipped to tackle AI-enabled crime

UK law enforcement lacks the tools to effectively tackle AI-enabled crime and must adopt a more proactive, AI-driven approach. 

More News

School of Global Affairs

The Lancaster School of Global Affairs launches in September 2024. The former Department of Languages and Cultures is the primary constituent of the new School, which takes a distinctive place-based approach to the major planetary challenges of our times.

Global Affairs
Group side silhouette men and women of different culture

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 Education, Arts and Humanities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. We are considered one of the top three universities in the world for Linguistics by the QS World subject rankings 2025, 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

Webinar: Study corpus linguistics at Lancaster

Friday 11 April 2025, 10:00am to Wednesday 11 June 2025, 11:00am
28th Apr

GCSE Chinese preparation classes

Monday 28 April 2025, 4:30pm to 5:30pm
28th Apr

Chinese Mandarin Language Classes

Monday 28 April 2025, 6:15pm to Thursday 1 May 2025, 7:45pm
29th Apr

Webinar: MA in Language Testing - British Council sub-Saharan Africa scholarships 2025

Tuesday 29 April 2025, 2:00pm to 2:45pm
29th Apr

Chinese Opera Culture Class

Tuesday 29 April 2025, 6:30pm to 7:30pm

More Events