Research

We conduct internationally significant, rigorous and high quality research. Find out more about our research clusters, themes, projects, quality and publications.

The CCRI undertakes much of its work in the form of grant and contract funded research projects. This work is organised into four subject-orientated research clusters, and four cross-cutting themes.

Research clusters

The CCRI’s research is organised around four main research clusters. View more information about our research clusters and projects below.

Culture, Nature and Heritage

Land, Water and Ocean Environments 

Sustainable Farming and Food

Rural-Urban Economies and Societies 

Research themes

Across these clusters are four cross-cutting themes. View more information about our research themes and projects below.

Research quality

The CCRI has entered the UK Government’s assessments of research, the Research Excellence Framework and its predecessor, the Research Assessment Exercise, under the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning Unit of Assessment.

In the most recent exercise, REF 2021, over 85% of the CCRI’s research was judged as internationally significant, rigorous, and high ​quality.

Impact case studies are a part of the REF submission and demonstrate the value to society of the research being carried out.

Research quality

Research projects

The CCRI is currently working on the following projects funded by the EU research programmes, UK Government and others:

  • Comparative Monitoring and Evaluation of Dry-Stone Walls

    Comparative Monitoring and Evaluation of Dry-Stone Walls

    This project will evaluate the effectiveness of previous agri-environment schemes (AES) by examining the condition of stone walls (SW) and stone-faced banks (SB) in selected case study locations.

    Read more

  • Rural Housing Enabler Programme Evaluation

    Rural Housing Enabler Programme Evaluation

    This evaluation of the Rural Housing Enabler Programme will incorporate both quantitative and qualitative data to provide a holistic view of the outcomes, value for money, and process.

    Read more

  • UK Commercial Fishing Social Survey Pilot

    UK Commercial Fishing Social Survey Pilot

    This project is an extension of previous Fisher Social Survey work undertaken by the team, leveraging the insights and methodologies established in the previous stages. The focus of this phase is to conduct two pilot survey rounds to gather data on the fishing industry and its stakeholders.

    Read more

Publications

Publications such as briefings, annual reviews and research can be found on the University of Gloucestershire’s research repository.

Books

CCRI members have had their work published in a range of books. You can view, download and purchase these publications via the University of Gloucestershire’s online shop platform.

Countryside and Community Press

The Countryside and Community Press is the publishing imprint of the Countryside and Community Research Institute (formerly known as the Countryside and Community Research Unit) at the University of Gloucestershire.

The Countryside and Community Press publish works prepared by the CCRI, or on behalf of colleagues and collaborative partners where synergies occur.