PhD in Social Practice and Transformational Change
Bridge the gap between theory and practice. Become immersed in a culture of collaboration with emphasis on community engaged scholarship.
The PhD in Social Practice and Transformational Change program is designed to stimulate interdisciplinary examination and critical theorization of social practice and its relationship to policy, programs and transformational change.
In this program, you will design and implement practice-based research projects and research-based practices, as well as develop principled, ethical and sustainable frameworks for collaborative, community-engaged initiatives.
The Social Practice and Transformational Change PhD program is grounded by six key pillars:
- Intersectional and Decolonizing Approaches and the 'Unsettling' Nature of Change
- Feminist, Gender, Sexuality and Other Critical Perspectives for Rethinking Difference and the Human
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Social Justice and Praxis Orientation
- Methodological Innovation and Boundary Crossing
- Community Engaged Scholarship
Embrace Indigenous philosophies and ideologies
Contribute to a collaborative learning environment
Re-conceptualize disciplinary
boundaries
Individual Development Plan
This program is intentionally designed to be deeply learner-centred. You will have the opportunity to explore your interests throughout the program with the creation of your own Individual Development Plan (IDP).
The Individual Development Plan will support you in aligning personal and professional goals with your academic expectations and responsibilities. Its built-in flexibility will allow your learning to be adapted and directed by you.
Community of Practice
A unique feature of this program is your active participation in a facilitated community of practice, conceptualized as a collaborative, dynamic, active learning group of students, faculty and practitioners.
The community of practice creates space and opportunity for students to gather informally, to engage in sharing, to offer collaborative support, and to build connections and learning across the program.
Program Courses and Schedule
The 4-year full-time program combines research-intensive classroom study with experiential and problem-based learning – preparing you for lifelong learning and future career success in private, public and civil society sectors.
Students must successfully complete three courses, the community of practice, a qualifying examination, and a thesis. The program courses are:
Social Practice and Transformational Change
Students engage with key theories of social practice, ethical community engagement, ways of knowing, reflexivity and change processes, social praxis and orientation, and the role of policy in social change, from inter- and transdisciplinary perspectives.
Research and Social Practice
Students build upon core concepts explored in Social Practice and Transformational Change, moving beyond analysis and discussion of scholarly contributions into engagement activities working with or as practitioners on externally identified questions and community needs.
Methodologies Lab
Students treat methodology as critical research design connected to epistemology and ontology, investigating what counts as knowledge, as data and scholarship, the role of the researcher, issues of representation, and the implications of these for research.
Meet the Program Director
My research interests are broadly rooted in cross-cultural psychology, focusing on understanding the adaptation processes among immigrants, refugees, and international students. By examining the nuanced experiences of marginalized populations, I aim to uncover insights that can inform practices fostering inclusion and empowerment. This commitment to advancing both the theoretical and applied dimensions of cross-cultural psychology aligns with the transformative goal of creating systemic change in how societies understand and support diverse communities.
Through this lens, I strive to not only contribute to academic knowledge but also to facilitate meaningful dialogue and interventions that promote resilience and positive adaptation in individuals facing the challenges of cultural transition. Ultimately, I believe that understanding these processes can lead to greater social justice and equitable practices that benefit both individuals and communities as a whole. Visit the Centre for Cross-Cultural Research for more information.
Professor Saba Safdar | ssafdar@uoguelph.ca
Meet the Faculty
Expert faculty from all five departments in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences and beyond are affiliated with the SOPR program as supervisors and instructors. Explore their wide-ranging research interests and meet your potential supervisor.
Indigenous health and social well-being, Indigenous masculinities, Indigenous feminisms
Critical community engaged scholarship, violence against women, social & criminal justice policy
Admission Requirements
- Successful completion of a course or thesis-based master's degree with a minimum grade average of at least 78% from an accredited university.
- Applicants who have not completed a master's degree but have considerable relevant professional experience outside the academy may be considered for direct entry into the doctoral program.
Graduate Student Funding
The University of Guelph is committed to providing a minimum stipend of $20,000 for all doctoral students. Students are guaranteed financial support through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and/or scholarships.
Get More Information
To learn more about the PhD in Social Practice and Transformational Change, email sopr@uoguelph.ca.
Take the Next Step
Start the application process for the PhD in Social Practice and Transformational Change.