Our Ambition
Community-based development
We aim to build solutions for a range of social issues including disadvantage, discrimination, poverty and the environment.
Working closely with third sector, public and private organisations, we foster partnerships that encourage sustainable, community-based development.
Health and life sciences
Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to developing responsive, professional training for local, national and international developments. Our designation as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery and our collaborative relationships with the NHS and Scottish Government Health Departments ensure that we are at the forefront of developments in health practices.
Research at the GCU Optical Brain Imaging Facility, the first of its kind in Scotland, is contributing to the understanding of development, disability and ageing, while our UKAS accredited laboratory is a recognised hygiene training centre for The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.
Society and justice
Empowering communities with statistics about local issues provides material evidence to argue for improved infrastructure and access to services. With this in mind, the Scottish Poverty Information Unit (SIPU) aims to eradicate poverty through robust policy analysis, quality research and the sharing of information. SIPU’s clients and partners include the European Commission, Oxfam and the Joseph Rowantree Foundation.
As an example of our community planning practices, The Caledonian Centre for Equality and Diversity was commissioned by Strathclyde and Lothian Borders police to research issues on policing and minority ethnic youth in Edinburgh and Greater Glasgow.
Built and natural environment
Our activities related to developing sustainable agriculture practices in 14 developing countries have been funded by internationally recognised bodies, including the Department for International Development (DFID) and International Fund for Agricultural Development and have lead to a new methodology called the Consultative Process Design for Women in Agriculture.
Business
We believe that building strategic partnerships between universities, business and government is a key driver for economic recovery.
In a project funded by the Scottish Executive, The Moffat Centre led the development and upgrade of the Malawi Institute of Tourism, building a skilled and trained workforce for the emergent tourism industry of this nation.