MRes Creative Arts and Social Justice

Arts and Creative Industries

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Arts and Creative Industries

Start dates

September 2026

Attendance

Full time 1 year, part time 2 years

Learning mode

Hybrid

Course Summary 

Enhance your career in creative arts with this uniquely structured MRes that brings together specialist research skills with the additional element of research advocacy training so that you can learn how to use your research for social justice aims.

The MRes Creative Arts and Social Justice course will provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of current research in the field of Creative Arts as well as the opportunity to develop your skills in experimental design and data analysis. Then with our unique Research Advocacy and Social Justice core module, you will learn how to take your research to the next level by exploring how your research can be used to address pressing global challenges within the field of Creative Arts.

This MRes is specifically targeting global majority students (individuals from African, South Asian, South American and other non-white backgrounds) who are interested in postgraduate research study and pursuing a career in research. 

Please get in touch with the Research Degree Leader before applying. For the School of Arts and Creative Industries it's Dr Sarahleigh Castelyn

Further information about applying for postgraduate research courses.

Apply for full time (September 2026)
Apply for part time (September 2026)

What makes this course different

  • Learn how to combine creative arts research with critical social justice perspectives to tackle complex global challenges

  • Position yourself for careers at the intersection of creative arts and social advocacy such as roles in creative arts industries, arts organisations, policy making and participatory arts sector.

  • Work with world class researchers in Social Sciences and Creative Arts.

What you'll learn

  • A cross-disciplinary course embedding research advocacy in research training, developing tools to navigate and challenge racist and exclusionary institutions.
  • Develop a broad-ranging understanding of the histories and impacts of racism and inequality through a collective reading group.
  • Specialist research training relevant to their discipline.
  • To carry out an independent research project addressing a real-world problem. 

How you'll learn

As a full-time research student, the MRes demands considerable independent study and research, amounting to around 1600 hours. Much of your timetable will be shaped by your own research project. You will be required to attend a four-hour core module session each week in terms one, two and three. In addition, you will have regular meetings and workshops with tutors and your research supervisor. Timetables for part-time students will reflect modules selected in each year. Modules will take place sometime between the hours of 9am - 6pm.  

The course offers blended learning opportunities with online and offline sessions.

  • Master classes with high-profile influencers from the broader research landscape
  • Guest speakers reflecting on the political and cultural significance of creating an anti-racist research community
  • One-to-one career planning
  • An opportunity to contribute to an outreach programme building awareness of the potential real-world impact of research careers with undergraduate cohorts.

When not attending timetabled classes, you will be expected to pursue your learning independently through self-directed study, including through guided reading, construction of research briefings, planning social media and mainstream media campaigns, and review reports.

You will be assigned an academic adviser who will be your point of contact throughout the programme.
Across the programme, you will spend around 135 hours of scheduled contact time with an academic member of staff. This will include lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary for each module.

Modules

  • SY7013 - Making a Difference through Research (Core 30 credits)
  • SY7014 - Research Advocacy and Social Justice (Core 30 credits)
  • SY7015 - Research Advocacy through a Research Project (Core 120 credits)
  • PX7529 - Research Methods in Creative Practice (Core 120 credits) 

How you'll be assessed

  • 100% coursework
  • This will include briefings, social media campaigns, research overviews, and original research projects.
  • You will receive detailed feedback on coursework, including one-to-one meetings to discuss drafts and identify strengths and areas for improvement. 

Fees and funding

January 2026

  • UK Full Time - £6,320
  • UK Part-Time - £3,160
  • International Full-Time - £16,900

September 2026

  • UK Full Time - £6,500
  • UK Part-Time - £3,250
  • International Full-Time - £17,400

Your future career

  • Master classes with high-profile influencers from the broader research landscape.
  • Guest speakers reflecting on the political and cultural significance of creating an anti-racist research community.
  • One-to-one career planning.
  • An opportunity to contribute to an outreach programme building awareness of the potential real-world impact of research careers with undergraduate cohorts. 

Who teaches on this course

  • Dr Darren Sharpe

    Darren is an Associate Professor based at the Institute for Connected Communities (ICC) and is also a UCLP Researcher-in-Residence.

  • Dr Oliver Keenan

    Oliver is a lecturer to students on the MRes in Social Research and Social Justice programme. He is currently a research assistant and quantitative research lead at ICC’s Evaluation Unit.

  • Prof Dominic Hingorani

    Dominic Hingorani is Professor of Performing Arts and is an academic, playwright, director and producer. He is also the Co-Artistic Director of Brolly Productions CIC.

  • Naida Redgrave

    Dr Naida Redgrave is a senior lecturer in digital media and communications at the University of East London.

  • Professor Sarahleigh Castelyn

    Sarahleigh is Reader in Performing Arts and is an academic, performer, choreographer, and researcher. She is the Postgraduate Research Degree Leader in the School of Arts and Creative Industries.

What we're researching

The School of Arts and Creative Industries is a centre of excellence for innovative and creative research, across and between a range of disciplines - among them film and media, fashion, computer games; performing arts, music, dance and drama; cultural studies and creative writing. Our research is socially engaged, collaborative and interdisciplinary and is integrated into the student experience by our research-active staff.

It is also embedded in our East London location; issues of diversity and marginalisation, cultural and social regeneration, social justice and community cohesion, are central themes. Our research activities include not only academic books and articles but also theatre performances, musical and fashion events, gallery exhibitions, and films.

Our work addresses public policy, neoliberalism and the cultural impact of digital technology, alongside debates about creative practice, cultural memory and modern urban cultures. Both in scholarly publications and creative practice research, we aim to question and illuminate, which in turn engages and motivates students to become active participants alongside our researchers in wider civic and cultural life.

The Course Leader, Dr Darren Sharpe, has an international reputation in the study of structural and health inequalities and research that brings the voices of marginalised communities to the centre in order to inform, interpret and influence research, policy and practice.

You may also be interested in

  • Our research

    Our dynamic research community is organised into Institutes, Centres and Groups. These provide a focus for our cutting-edge research.

  • Our location

    East London is one of the best places in the world to be a student. Our location boasts easy access to all the incredible opportunities London has to offer.