Search Website
Message from the Associate Dean
Thank you for your interest in graduate studies in the Faculty of Social Science at Western University. Whether you are considering applying to one of our programs or are preparing to begin your graduate journey with us, I am delighted to welcome you to a vibrant scholarly community dedicated to understanding and addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Social science provides critical insights into the complexities of human behaviour, social relationships, institutions, cultures, and communities. Our scholars investigate issues that shape everyday life and influence public policy, including health and well-being, migration, economic development, political participation, social inequality, organizational leadership, and social change. Through rigorous research, innovative methodologies, and meaningful community engagement, our faculty and students contribute knowledge that helps create a more informed, equitable, and sustainable world.
Graduate education is about more than acquiring specialized knowledge. It is also about developing the skills, perspectives, and professional networks that will prepare you for leadership in academia, government, industry, non-profit organizations, and communities around the world. We are committed to supporting our students throughout their academic journey by providing access to outstanding research resources, professional development opportunities, funding support, and a culture of mentorship and inclusion.
As the largest Faculty at Western and one of the most diverse Social Science faculties in Canada, we offer many master’s and doctoral programs, including those in Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. We are also home to interdisciplinary graduate programs in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, Neuroscience, as well as collaborative graduate specializations in Translational Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Migration and Ethnic Relations. We are pleased to offer multiple professional programs through the DAN Department of Management and Organizational Studies and through the Network for Economic and Social Trends. Our Master of Public Administration program is unique in English-speaking Canada in its focus on graduate training in the management of local government. For more information, please explore our list of graduate programs. We are also pleased to support postdoctoral training in our Faculty.
The Faculty of Social Science values diversity in all its forms and recognizes that excellence is strengthened by the contributions of individuals with different experiences, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives. We are committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment where all students can thrive and reach their full potential. We offer several awards to graduate trainees, including our underrepresented and Indigenous scholars.
I invite you to explore our site and learn about the many opportunities available within our graduate programs and to learn more about the remarkable research, teaching, and community engagement taking place across our Faculty. We look forward to welcoming you to our community of scholars and supporting you as you pursue your academic and professional aspirations.
Godwin Arku, Ph.D.
Professor and Associate Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Faculty of Social Science
