Doctoral study in History
Why study with us?
We were placed in the top 100 in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2020.
As a doctoral candidate, you'll benefit from: financial support for research expenses through PReSS funding; high-calibre supervision practices; and the networks and expertise of our world-class academic researchers.
Research opportunities
We welcome PhD research proposals in areas such as:
- Māori history
- Twentieth-century New Zealand cultural history
- Empire and travel writing; settler cultures in New Zealand, Canada and Australia
- Australian history, including colonial and rural histories
- Social and cultural history of religion in late antiquity and the early middle ages
- The Anglo-Norman period (11th and 12th centuries)
- The early modern history of ideas, including political thought and science; seventeenth century Britain
- The history of sexuality and of gender
- The history of medicine, in New Zealand, Britain and Japan
- The history of war, peace and internationalism in the modern period
Tokugawa Japan; life courses of men and women - Social and cultural history of modern China
- Twentieth century United States history, popular culture, social movements, women’s history, labour history
- Irish history, especially the history of migration
- Environmental, maritime and oceanic history
- Transnational and comparative histories
Our people
Academic staff in History are active, widely-published researchers known nationally and internationally for their expertise in a variety of historical fields. Since 1980, History staff members have published well over 100 books and many articles and reviews.
Current staff include Professor Linda Bryder, Professor Kim Phillips and Professor Jonathan Scott.
Past research topics
- "Towards self-sufficiency: Public health responses to diabetes in twentieth-century New Zealand c.1920–2000" | Supervised by Professor Linda Bryder
- "The prostitute's body: Rewriting prostitution in Victorian Britain" | Supervised by Professor Barry Reay
- "Tourists like ourselves: New Zealanders' international travel diaries and their journeys, 1919–1963" | Supervised by Associate Professor Caroline Daley
- "Kissing Christ: Masculinity and religious experience in the Medieval Period, c.400–1200" | Supervised by Associate Professor Lisa Bailey
- "History by HBO: Rendering the American past in serial drama" | Supervised by Associate Professor Jennifer Frost
- "The evolution of global politics and the pacific settlement of international disputes, 1794–1907" | Supervised by Associate Professor Maartje Abbenhuis
Scholarships and awards
There are several scholarships you may be eligible for when you decide to pursue your PhD in History:
- University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships
- Faculty of Arts Doctoral Scholarship
- Keith Sinclair Memorial Scholarship
- Myra and Eric McCormick Scholarship in History
Help and advice
Our friendly staff will provide you with advice on enrolling in your PhD at Student Hubs.
If you would like to discuss your plans for your doctoral research you can contact our PhD Adviser.