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

Pupils from across the Lancaster district with the Pupil Parliament Climate Charter

Vision for the future as pupils join forces to create climate change action plan for region’s schools

Pupils from across the region came together to create a vision for the future by committing to do their part to help tackle the climate emergency.
Marketing poster for event - brightly coloured artwork seascape showing woman holding a heart bearing the words Radical imagination

Mini retreat at Lancaster Priory will celebrate the spirituality of women of colour

An opportunity to explore ‘Decolonizing Women’s Spirituality’ will take place as a mini retreat at Lancaster Priory next month with leading LGBTQ+ theologian and artist, the Rev Dr Angela Yarber. The retreat is supported by Lancaster University’s ‘Decolonising Lancaster’ Events Fund.
Images of soldiers in the Falklands

Lancaster alumnus and Falklands war veteran speaks at anniversary event

A Lancaster University history alumnus and Falklands veteran will return to the city later this month to take part in a special event to mark the 40th anniversary of the war between Great Britain and Argentina.
Researchers at work

‘Remarkable results’ for FASS in the REF 2021

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 today (May 12). 
European Union flag and Union flag with tear between the two

New study provides insight on Brits living in the EU post Brexit

A new picture of Britons living in the EU post-Brexit flags the ‘deep transformation’ that has come with the removal of freedom of movement. This first major insight, by Lancaster University and the University of Birmingham, into British citizens living in the EU after Brexit, reports on responses to the ‘Migration and Citizenship after Brexit’ survey.
Image shows a spinning top in the dark

Prison must not be ‘default option’ to cover up lack of support in care system and community

Girls and women who have been through the care system should be diverted away from custodial sentences into community alternatives wherever possible, says a new report, led by Lancaster University, published today. And moves to prevent the criminalisation of girls in care need to be high on the agenda for change.

More News

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

25th May

DSI Wednesdays Lunch Time Talk: Aidan Pippen of the Ada Lovelace Institute 25th May @ 12:30

Wednesday 25 May 2022, 12:30pm to 1:30pm
25th May

Ed Res Seminar Series - ‘You get your training and it’s basically REF, REF, REF’: Unbelonging, exclusion, and the Research Excellence Framework

Wednesday 25 May 2022, 12:30pm to 2:00pm
25th May

CeMoRe Summer Seminar

Wednesday 25 May 2022, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
26th May

The Falklands War at 40: Voices of the Conflict

Thursday 26 May 2022, 3:30pm to 5:00pm
28th May

Workshop | The Ruskin x Dalia James Studio: Contemporary Hand Weaving

Saturday 28 May 2022, 10:30am to 12:30pm

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