Research
Research is at the heart of Glasgow Caledonian’s mission as the University for the Common Good. Our strategy to deliver socially purposeful, applied research that delivers real world impact is strongly aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At GCU our Research Excellence Framework (REF) performance is unsurpassed by any other Scottish modern university for our level of research, with a score of 72%, which is considered to be world-leading or internationally excellent, and with 91% of the University’s health research as world-leading or internationally excellent.
With a strong interdisciplinary foundation and cross-institute collaboration our research focuses on three major societal challenge areas:
- healthy lives
- sustainable environments
- inclusive societies
Healthy Lives represents the largest area of research activity at GCU delivered primarily though the Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) within the School of Health and Life Sciences. Research is focused on enhancing the lives of people with long-term health conditions and developing and evaluating public health and lifestyle interventions, bringing together world leading experts and fostering multidisciplinary collaborations across RISE and the Yunus Centre.
Sustainable Environment is focused on delivering evidence-based solutions to major environmental and sustainability challenges both locally and globally bringing together expertise across a range of disciplines including engineering, computing science, sustainability, environmental science, and social science in the Centre for Research and Innovation for Sustainable Environments (RISE) in the School of Science and Engineering. It also reflects strong applied research strengths across the built environment, energy, manufacturing, creative industries, health, and business sectors.
Inclusive Societies aims to enrich cities and communities through our research themes of social innovation and public policy, social justice, equalities and communities. The Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health within Glasgow School for Business and Society produces impactful research in social economy, social justice and inequalities, economics of health and wellbeing, and community, citizenship and participation.
To maintain our groundbreaking research efforts, we work in close partnership and collaborate with numerous partners such as the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland, Glasgow City Council and local businesses, as well as internationally with the World Health Organization, the African Development Bank, the European Commission and others.
We have a thriving research culture and environment and postgraduate research community with more than 300 students at any one time, overseen by our Doctoral Hub.
Our research is delivered through our Research Centres that bring together academic staff, students and external partners to act as catalysts for cutting-edge inquiry, policy engagement, and real-world impact:
Our research centres
Work with us
The Research and Knowledge Exchange Services (RKES) team supports the University's research and innovation environment.
Visit RKES