Information for the Media
Need some specialist knowledge on a rural issue?
The CCRI is one of the leading rural research centres in the UK, with a team of rural experts who may be able to help.
Our researchers undertake academic research across a wide range of rural issues, including Agriculture, Food and Land Use, Rural Community Development and the Rural Economy.
Major funders of our research activity include organisations such as DEFRA, the Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission, Commission for Rural Communities, Natural England and English Heritage
We are always keen to disseminate our research findings and knowledge to a broader audience, and would be pleased to help with your inquiries on any rural issues. Here is a brief list of some of our senior researchers and brief summaries of their research interests and expertise.
Professor Nigel Curry
Professor of Countryside Planning and Director of CCRI. Email: ncurry2@glos.ac.uk, tel: 01242 714126
- Rural economic
- Rural community
- Outdoor recreation
- The planning system
- Rural housing
Dr. Janet Dwyer
Reader in Rural Studies. E-mail: jdwyer@glos.ac.uk Tel: 01242 714128
- European and national agriculture and rural development policy
- Sustainable agriculture
- CAP reform and its effects on British agriculture
- European rural environmental Policy
- Nature conservation, landscape protection and management, and the protection of the cultural heritage
Dr. Peter Gaskell
Senior Research Fellow. E-mail: pgaskell@glos.ac.uk Tel: 01242 714136
- Historic environment and landscape heritage protection
- Agricultural landscape change
- Policy evaluation
- Built heritage
- Rural built environment, including historic farm buildings
Professor Brian Ilbery
Professor of Rural Studies. E-mail: bilbery@glos.ac.uk Tel: 01242 714389
- Agricultural Change and Policy
- CAP reform, farming and rural development
- Farm diversification
- Food supply chains and local/regional speciality food and drink products.
- Plant disease risk and biosecurity
Dr. Owain Jones
Research Fellow. E-mail: ojones@glos.ac.uk Tel: 01242 715315
- rural communities and rural childhood
- landscape place and nature
- sustainable food chains
Dr Damian Maye
Senior Research Fellow. Email: dmaye@glos.ac.uk Tel: 01242 714133
- CAP reform and rural development
- Food chains, local foods and organic foods
- Plant disease and biosecurity
- Microbrewing
Dr. John Powell
Senior Research Fellow. E-mail: jpowell@glos.ac.uk Tel: 01242 714122
- Environmental Policy
- Common land
- Ecological economics
- Programme evaluation
Christopher Short
Senior Research Fellow. E-mail: cshort@glos.ac.uk Tel: 01242 714550
- Agri-environment policy and management
- Integrated rural development
- Common land and village greens
- Collective land management
- Stakeholder involvement
- Policy monitoring and evaluation
Chris Rayfield
Business Manager. E-mail: crayfield@glos.ac.uk Tel. 01242 714121
Chris can be contacted regarding any general matters in connection with our research and activities


