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 projects
The CCRI is currently working on the following projects funded by the EU research programmes, UK Government and others:
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FoodCop: Food Systems Transformation Startup Villages Bioeconomy Community of Practice
researchers are collaborating with partners from nine European countries on an international project to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability within rural communities.
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Integrating Local Authority Climate Policies
University of Gloucestershire is working with public sector partners and the farming industry to identify and implement actions which can support positive changes to what we eat and how we farm in the county, to help the UK meet its net zero targets.
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Resilience Of The Rural Electricity Network To Meet Net Zero Impacts
This project seeks to gather expert insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with electrifying rural communities using sustainable energy sources.
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.