The 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) identified our research environment as overwhelmingly world class. The Department was awarded the highest grade of 5* in the previous Research Assessment Exercise, and was one of only 4 Departments whose grades were later enhanced to the top rating (referred to as 5** or 6*). We have some of the most modern research facilities of any Department in the country, and have received substantial new investment through SRIF and other HEFCE programmes

There is a wide variety of research activity in the Department, involving teams of academic staff, research staff, technical staff, visiting staff and postgraduate research students. The Department also retains a strong commitment to individual research and scholarship. Currently, there are four Research Groupings within the Department which provide a focus for many of our major research and postgraduate programmes.

Research Group

• Centre for Developing Areas Research - CEDAR
• Centre for Quaternary Research - CQR
• Politics and Environment Research Group - PERG
• Social and Cultural Geography Group - SCG

Postgraduate Research

• Research Training
• Research Facilities

Postdoctoral Research

• British Academy Fellowships
• ESRC Fellowships

Masters Programmes

• MA Cultural Geography (Research)
• MSc Practising Sustainable Development
• MSc Quaternary Science
• MSc Sustainability & Management

Consultancy and Collaboration

• Partnerships