Critical theory for beginners: what it is, why it matters, and how to use it in your PhD
If you've ever come across a journal article or been sat in a research methods seminar and thought, “What are they actually talking about?” when someone starts throwing around phrases like hegemony, emancipatory paradigms, or critiquing dominant discourses — you’re not alone. Critical Theory is one of those things that gets mentioned a lot in social science circles, but it's rarely explained in a way that actually makes sense unless you've got a philosophy degree.
So let’s sort that out. In this post, I’ll walk you through what Critical Theory is (in plain English), why it’s useful, and how you might actually apply it in your own PhD research. No jargon, no gatekeeping, just real talk.
What is critical theory?
At its heart, Critical Theory is a way of thinking about the world that goes beyond just describing how things are. Instead, it asks why things are the way they are — and more importantly, who benefits from that setup. It’s concerned with power, inequality, and the ways in which people and systems maintain control, often without us even realising it.
Critical Theory grew out of a group of scholars known as the Frankfurt School in the 1930s. They were grappling with big questions about capitalism, fascism, and social inequality, and they weren’t satisfied with theories that simply explained the world, they wanted to find ways to change it. That’s really the key idea here: Critical Theory isn’t neutral or detached. It’s political. It’s about identifying injustice and imagining something better.
“Critical theory asks why things are the way they are — and more importantly, who benefits from that setup?”
Now, that doesn’t mean you need to be storming the barricades to engage with Critical Theory in your research. But it does mean thinking critically (the clue’s in the name) about the systems and structures around us, and how they shape the topic you’re studying.
Is Critical Theory just about being critical?
Not in the way we often use the word in everyday life. It’s not about being grumpy or nit-picky - it’s about looking beneath the surface.
Critical Theory assumes that knowledge and truth aren’t neutral or objective, but shaped by social, cultural, and political forces. So if you’re doing research that questions dominant narratives or looks at issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, or any other form of inequality, there’s a good chance Critical Theory has something to offer you.
A core idea within Critical Theory is that power isn’t just something people have - it’s also embedded in institutions, norms, and everyday practices. It shows up in language, in policies, in what’s considered “normal” or “common sense.” Critical theorists are interested in how those forms of power operate, and how they might be challenged.
“A core idea within Critical Theory is that power isn’t just something people have - it’s also embedded in institutions, norms, and everyday practices.”
Why might a PhD researcher use Critical Theory?
There are loads of reasons, especially if your research is rooted in social justice or aims to challenge existing power dynamics. If your project gives voice to marginalised groups, explores how systems produce disadvantage, or questions the way things are normally done, Critical Theory might be a natural fit.
Let’s say you’re researching how students from working-class backgrounds experience higher education. A descriptive approach might just map out their experiences. But a critical approach would go further, it might ask how the university system is set up to privilege certain ways of speaking, behaving, or thinking, and how that affects students who don’t come from traditional academic backgrounds.
The same goes for work in areas like policing, education, media, health, or migration, anywhere where systems of power and inequality are at play. Critical Theory gives you a toolkit to name those patterns, understand them, and suggest alternatives.
What does research grounded in Critical Theory look like?
It’s often qualitative, but not always.
What makes it critical isn’t the method, but the stance — the way the research questions are framed, the kinds of data collected, and the way that data is interpreted.
You’ll usually see a strong focus on reflexivity, with researchers openly discussing their own position and role in the research process. There’s often a desire not just to understand the world, but to challenge it — so recommendations for practice or policy change are quite common.
You might also notice that critical research often centres the voices of participants who are normally marginalised or left out of mainstream narratives. The aim is not to “give them a voice” (because they already have one), but to create space for their perspectives to be heard and taken seriously within the research context.
Isn’t Critical Theory the same as things like Feminist Theory, Critical Race Theory or Critical Realism?
They’re related, but not exactly the same. Think of Critical Theory as a broad umbrella, and then underneath it you’ve got more specific approaches like Feminist Theory, Critical Race Theory, Postcolonial Theory, and Queer Theory.
Each of these focuses on a particular form of inequality, and brings its own tools and perspectives to the table. But they’re all grounded in the same belief: that the world is not neutral, that power matters, and that research can and should challenge systems of oppression.
So if you’re working with one of these more specific theories, you’re already engaging with the critical tradition. You don’t have to label it “Critical Theory” for it to count.
It’s also worth noting that Critical Theory isn’t the same as Critical Realism. While both are concerned with understanding deeper layers of reality, Critical Realism is more focused on uncovering the mechanisms that cause things to happen — even if those mechanisms aren’t visible. Critical Theory, on the other hand, is more concerned with power, ideology, and social change. It asks not just what’s going on beneath the surface, but who benefits from it — and how it might be challenged.
What if I feel a bit unsure about using it?
Honestly? That’s normal. Critical Theory can feel overwhelming at first, partly because of the terminology, and partly because it asks you to take a stance, and that can feel a bit risky. Especially in academia, where people often value “objectivity” and detachment, it can feel uncomfortable to be openly political or values-driven in your work.
But here’s the thing: All research has values behind it. Critical Theory just makes those values explicit. If your work is driven by a sense of fairness, justice, or the desire to make things better, then you’re already in the right ballpark.
You don’t have to know everything. You just have to be willing to reflect on your position, question taken-for-granted assumptions, and think critically about the structures and systems you’re researching.
Final thoughts
Critical Theory can be one of the most empowering lenses to work with in your PhD, not because it gives you all the answers, but because it gives you the tools to ask better questions.
It encourages you to dig deeper, to challenge what’s “normal,” and to consider how your research can contribute to positive change in the world.
You don’t need to be an expert in Marx or write a 100-page critique of capitalism to use Critical Theory well. You just need to stay curious, stay reflective, and be brave enough to question what others take for granted.
And if that sounds like the kind of researcher you want to be, then you’re already on the right track.
Want more help with theory, paradigms, and all the other stuff no one ever properly explained?
Check out my Paradigms for Beginners express course — it's designed to help you untangle paradigms without the jargon. And if you’re stuck trying to write your thesis chapters, the Cheat Sheet Library has tons of plug-and-play tools that’ll get you moving again.