Welcome to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Student success stories

At Surrey, being an undergraduate means far more than attending lectures and submitting assignments. Our students get involved in research, industry competitions, community activities and much more – and the current pandemic hasn’t changed that.

• Politics student, Zoe Drapper, explained how she found studying at home and staying connected with her peers during the pandemic.
• Hundreds of Surrey students reunited from the comfort of their own homes to celebrate their achievements in a series of virtual events.
• After hearing about initial PPE shortages in the UK, international hospitality management undergraduate student, Zhouhan Hu, donated over 500 medical-grade face masks, to help staff in our Estates and Facilities team stay safe on campus.

Read more about our inspiring students in FASS.  

Amazing academics

Our academics engage with our students not just as tutors and lecturers, but also by providing opportunities where students can work alongside them on research projects and summer placements.

Just a few of our amazing academics who’ve recently been recognised for their exceptional work are:

• Emma Mayhew, Professor of Pedagogy in Politics and International Relations, has been recognised for her outstanding teaching by the national body, Advance HE.
• Our School of Hospitality and Tourism Management has been awarded an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) grant to explore how tourism intentions are shaped by the risks and uncertainties associated with Covid-19.
• Dr Erich Round has been awarded the position of British Academy Global Professor, within the Surrey Morphology Group.

Research that changes lives

In FASS we’re conducting research that has the potential to address some of the world’s biggest challenges.

• A new academic research project has been launched to shine a spotlight on the wide-ranging impacts on mental health and wellbeing of living with Covid-19 and the associated movement restrictions and other challenges.
• According to the World Health Organisation, many small drinking supplies in some of the world’s most rural and vulnerable regions are not regularly monitored and inspected. Our experts are interrogating the usability of sanitary inspection forms – a key tool used globally to identify risks in water supplies.

Covid heroes

The current pandemic has brought challenges for everyone, and in FASS, we’re proud of the way many of our academics and students have responded to these challenges – from lending their skills to support others to conducting pioneering research.

• During the Covid-19 lockdown, Department of Music and Media and International Guitar Research Centre PhD student, Benjamin Bruant, has been performing private garden concerts for nominated key workers.
• Dr Jo Blanden shared her views on Covid-19 and the case for sending the youngest back to school, in collaboration with the University of Essex’s Dr Birgitta Rabe, for the LSE’s Politics and Policy blog.
• Dr Ranjana Das, Reader in Media and Communication at Surrey, has conducted a research project on new mothers, mental health and the impact of Covid-19 on pregnancy and maternity.
• Professor Nigel Morgan, Head of School of Hospitality and Tourism, gave evidence to the Welsh Parliament’s Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, regarding the impact Covid-19 has had and will have on tourism and hospitality in Wales.

Read more about Surrey’s ongoing research which is making a difference in the fight against Covid-19.

There are so many ways to get involved in FASS, over and above your studies. Our students have always been the essence of the Faculty, bringing energy, enthusiasm and new ideas – and we’re sure that this year’s cohort is no exception.

Find out more about FASS.