Research

We deliver high-quality geographical research and impact that drives disciplinary agendas and addresses major societal and environmental challenges locally, nationally and internationally.

We are passionate about research and where it can take us. We are constantly pushing the scientific boundaries of geographical and environmental research, setting new intellectual agendas and advancing conceptual, theoretical and methodological debates.

We also use our knowledge, skills, curiosity and creativity to design and conduct research that matters and makes a difference in the world. We pursue answers and solutions to challenging questions and problems across the social and natural sciences. Most importantly, we provide an inclusive research environment where postgraduate, postdoctoral and academic researchers work closely together to develop their research careers.

Read more about research in Geography and Environment here, or visit the School website to learn more about wider research activity across the four School of Social Sciences and Humanities research challenges.

School of Social Sciences and Humanities research

100% of research impact rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Research strengths

We are recognised for our excellence and leadership across six interdisciplinary research themes where we exhibit world leading strengths.

Cities

We lead international research on cities and globalization, strengthening the theoretical base of global urban studies via new conceptual and methodological approaches for analysing cities and regions.

Children, Youth and Families

At the forefront of establishing Children’s Geographies, our research explores formal and informal spaces of education and childhood experiences.

Climate-Water-Energy

We explore the trade-offs and co-benefits that may be realised by these connected systems to reduce the vulnerability of communities and strengthen the resilience of infrastructure to climate change.

Hydroclimate, Risks and Resilience

We advance knowledge of changes in extreme weather and develop technologies for improving resilience to hydroclimatic risks.

Migration and Nation

We are transforming understandings of how powerful migration forces and ideas about migration and ‘nation’ affect contemporary societies.

Understanding and Managing Environmental Change

Applying field monitoring, laboratory experiments and modelling methods we make significant breakthroughs in understanding and managing natural and anthropogenic environmental change.

Wider impact

We have a long track record of co-producing knowledge with diverse users, beneficiaries and communities, delivering impact in multiple ways.

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Research networks

Our expertise also contributes in important ways to well-established international, national and cross-campus research networks.

The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Centre for Sustainable Transitions: Energy, Environment and Resilience (STEER)

STEER’s aim is to develop world-class, agenda-setting research to support delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on SDG 7 on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all and inter-connected SDGs.

Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) Research Network

GaWC was established is 1998 and is the leading academic thinktank on cities in globalization. Today it operates as a global research network, with the website a hub for researchers, practitioners and students the world over.

Historical Geographies of the University (HistGeogUni)

HistGeogUni is an international research network and platform for exchange about people, publications, projects and events in interdisciplinary research on the history and geography of the university.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Nationalism Network (LUNN)

LUNN is establishing an interdisciplinary approach to the study the nation(al) through geographical, sociological, psychological, organization, literary and artistic perspectives.

The Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN)

LCEDN brings together researchers, practitioners and policymakers to expanding research capacity around low-carbon energy development in the Global South.

Virtual Cabinet of Curiosities

Each item in the cabinet is the origin of a story about our curiosity for Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. Together they highlight the diversity of research undertaken by the staff, postgraduates and undergraduates.

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Postgraduate research

Doctoral researchers are integral partners in our research, working on exciting projects across our six research themes.

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Research Facilities

Our research is conducted in a new purpose-designed building with state-of-the-art laboratories.

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