Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation (Research)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The DPhil in Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation is a research-based course focused on evaluating interventions and policies addressing issues like poverty, mental health, violence, inequality, and child development.

The department welcomes DPhil candidates who are interested in a wide range of areas of social intervention and policy evaluation research.

The department's approach to graduate study emphasises your ability to work independently to explore an original line of research under an academic supervisor. Each member of academic staff has expertise in a particular area of social intervention and policy evaluation and you should contact your potential supervisor prior to applying as you will only be accepted for a DPhil if there is an appropriate supervisor available.

As a doctoral student you will be offered a unique graduate programme tailored to your individual needs. In addition to individual supervision, the department offers a large and diverse range of research groups, seminars, workshops and advanced training opportunities to further enhance your graduate research experience.

Students on the DPhil in Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation belong to the Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention (CEBI) research group, that gives an opportunity to explore topics around social intervention and policy evaluation in more depth. DPhil students will have the opportunity to present their ongoing project in the research group.

The department runs several seminar series during the year providing the opportunity to hear external expert speakers. In addition, there is a fortnightly colloquium at which members of the department present and discuss their research, creating an excellent chance for staff and students to learn more about each others’ ideas or receive input on their own research.

The department’s research methods hub provides research students with specialist support on qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as tailored training. Through the Oxford Social Sciences Division a range of methods training seminars and summer schools are offered.