Building on Trent’s world-class reputation in interdisciplinary scholarship, this innovative Ph.D. program emphasizes social inquiry, interdisciplinary research, and professional scholarship as the foundation for addressing complex social issues. With a holistic approach to professional scholarship and skills development, the program provides theoretical, methodological, and experiential training to develop leading scholarship and build understanding of key social, material, and environmental issues facing societies, both historically and in the present day. Develop flexible interdisciplinary social research skills that can be applied to address the research and analytic needs of the public sector, NGOs, community-based and corporate employers.
- Work alongside expert faculty to investigate complex social issues through interdisciplinary perspectives and processes.
- Develop advanced research capacity and leadership through experiential training in research design, research synthesis, and research communication.
- Graduate equipped with advanced research and leadership skills for success in a wide range of social science disciplines and professional fields.
Examine society’s most pressing challenges through advanced interdisciplinary research, social inquiry, and leadership development.
Program Types
Eligibility Requirements
- Master's degree or equivalent in Social Sciences or a related discipline
- Minimum A- (80%) or equivalent overall in the master's degree
- Demonstrated aptitude for theoretical inquiry and applied scholarship
- An area of intellectual and research interest consonant with the emphasis and aims of the program
Eligibility Requirements
- Master's degree or equivalent in Social Sciences or a related discipline
- Minimum A- (80%) or equivalent overall in the master's degree
- Demonstrated aptitude for theoretical inquiry and applied scholarship
- An area of intellectual and research interest consonant with the emphasis and aims of the program
- Proof of English Proficiency: All international applicants must provide proof of an adequate level of English proficiency regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. Please visit our International Applicant Resource page for details on English Language Proficiency requirements.
- A GRE test score is not required for admission into this program
All applicants, domestic and international, must submit the following documents to complete their application:
- Transcripts: Unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts
- 2 letters of reference: Academic references are required. Reference forms will be emailed to the referees that you have appointed on OUAC
- Plan of Study/Personal Statement: 1-2 pages outlining your objectives in a graduate program. Any specific research interests, relevant experiences, and/or career aspirations can be included
- Writing Sample: A sample of your writing of about 20 pages or less. The preferred submission format is PDF. Good choices for writing samples include: an undergraduate essay, lab report, research report, journal article, a chapter from a master's thesis, or a published article.
- Detailed Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of Citizenship (i.e. copy of passport or birth certificate)
- Supervisor: A potential supervisor must be chosen as an admission requirement for this program. Please list your supervisor on your OUAC application and discuss this in your plan of study. Please visit the program's Faculty and Research page for a listing of faculty and areas of research. Applicants are responsible for reaching out to a faculty member
For more information on submitting transcripts, re-sending reference links and other application questions, please visit our How to Apply page and review Step 4, as well as review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
As of May 1, 2026, full-time international PhD students pay domestic tuition fees at the out-of-province rate.
Eligible full-time students are offered minimum funding packages during their funded period of $23,000 annually. This includes a Graduate Teaching Assistantship employment offer valued at approximately $13,000 annually. Specific funding details are included in individual admission letters.
Students are supported in competing for external awards during their studies, such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. A full list of external awards is available on our Scholarships and Awards page.
Trent has clear pathways for graduate students to apply and be admitted to study for their master's or doctorate at either of our campuses. Please review admission requirements for your program before applying.
I was so incredibly excited to come back to Trent to the Interdisciplinary Social Research PhD program and to continue to work with Dr Naomi Nichols. I was awarded an SSHRC -CGS-D to examine the intersection of the human right to housing in Canada and the increasing reliance on the use of neo-vagrancy laws across Canadian municipalities as my dissertation topic.
Dr. Omar's research is centred on women's health and rehabilitation, specifically in the areas of activity restriction. She is also passionate about exploring the use of technology in nursing care and promoting students' mental health. Her dedication to her work has earned her numerous accolades, including excellence in mentorship and teaching awards. She is also a recipient of the Dean's Award for excellence in teaching, a commendation letter from the Council of Ontario Universities for Programs in Nursing and was recognized during the nursing week.
Dr. Nichols directs the Research for Social Change Lab at Trent University’s Catharine Parr Traill College in downtown Peterborough. At its broadest, her research examines institutional and policy drivers of social inequality in Canadian society.
Build interdisciplinary foundations through coursework, then conduct original research culminating in a dissertation that contributes knowledge across two or more social science or professional disciplines.