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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Exploring the Experiences and Issues for Rural Energy and Water Customers in PSR Needs Code Groups
This research will build on previous work undertaken for the same funders, including work by CCRI which explored rural vulnerability from a public utilities’ perspective
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DEFRA Research Development and Evidence Framework Research (2021-2024)
The CCRI are currently involved in an on-going series of themed research projects under the DEFRA Research and Experimental Development (R&D) Framework.
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Farming in Protected Landscapes Evaluation
This Defra funded project aims to evaluate the Farming in Protected Landscape programme (FiPL) in England’s 34 AONBs and 10 National Parks, in order to feed into programme design and implementation throughout the funded period (2021 – 2024) and inform future policy and practice.
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.