Architects and the designers of our surroundings are the driving force behind the design and development of our built environment. Whether they are designing new buildings, giving a new lease of life to existing ones, developing urban spaces, landscapes or contemporary interiors, architects have a profound influence on all our lives. Overview The Kent School of Architecture offers a full-time and part-time research programme, leading to a PhD research degree. The School promotes innovative and interdisciplinary research study in architecture, urbanism and related fields. The main objective is to combine contemporary advanced research with an educational agenda, preparing candidates to practise in a global academic and professional world. A particular feature of the KSA research degree programme is the wide spectrum of investigation and the possibility of undertaking research by design. PhD students have access to all University of Kent facilities and a weekly seminar designed for research students only. Each candidate is entitled to two supervisors. About Kent School of Architecture Research at Kent School of Architecture achieves excellence in both the history and theory of architecture and in sustainable urban, peri-urban and environmental design. School staff have design expertise and specialist knowledge; they are at the forefront of current architectural issues, including sustainability, technology, professional practice and research. Our staff are active at academic and professional conferences, both nationally and internationally, and appear and publish in local and national media. The School promotes innovative and interdisciplinary research, emphasising sustainable design. Much of the project work involved in the Kent School of Architecture is located on 'live' sites in the local region, using real clients and engaging challenging issues. Students in all stages of the school have been introduced to real urban and architectural design challenges in Lille, Margate, Folkestone, Dover, Rye, Chatham and, of course, Canterbury. Much of this work involves liaising with external bodies, such as architects, planners, council and development groups. National ratings In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, research by the School of Architecture was ranked 8th for research intensity and 8th for research output in the UK. An impressive 100% of our research-active staff submitted to the REF and 88% of our research was judged to be of international quality. The School’s environment was judged to be conducive to supporting the development of research of international quality.