Introduction

The University of Kent has an excellent international reputation for its research in social psychology. This was recognised in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise by special “flagging” of this group (equivalent to a 5* rating). One of the longest established research groups in this area is based in the Centre for the Study of Group Processes. The Centre is a dynamic research environment with extensive international links, and attracts excellent visiting researchers and postgraduate students both within the UK and overseas. It also provides a base for the Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology (Wiley, Co-editor, Professor Geoffrey Stephenson), and a new journal, Group Processes and Intergroup Relations (Sage, co-edited by Professor Dominic Abrams).

Group processes and intergroup relations have become an increasingly central part of the discipline of social psychology, addressing issues of prejudice, discrimination, conflict reduction, persuasion and social influence, power, group decision making, ethnic loyalty and so on. In recognition of this growing interest we have developed our Masters programme. The principal staff are Dr Robbie Sutton, Professor Dominic Abrams, Dr Lindsey Cameron, Professor Richard Crisp, Dr Karen Douglas, Dr Roger Giner-Sorolla, Dr Tim Hopthrow, Dr Georgina Randsley de Moura and Professor Adam Rutland. We currently have twelve research students with funding from ESRC, CNPq, and School Studentships. Students trained at the Centre have been successful in pursuing subsequent academic and other careers.

The MSc in Group Processes and Intergroup Relations is a specialist version of our existing MSc in Social and Applied Psychology. These programmes can be taken full-time (one year) or part-time (two years) (see Part-time study). Suitable students are encouraged to go on to register for PhD degrees.