University of Glasgow - Schools - School of Geographical & Earth Sciences - Research - Geographical and Earth Sciences and SUERC Synergies

Geographical and Earth Sciences and SUERC Synergies

Collaboration and knowledge exchange form the foundation of the long relationship between the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences (GES) and the Centre for the Isotope Sciences (SUERC). While both are distinct entities within the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Glasgow, they maintain a complementary focus. GES operates as an academic unit with a dual mission of teaching and research, whereas SUERC comprises specialised research laboratories—including five UKRI-funded national facilities—with a dedicated research mandate that supports scientific services across the UK and internationally.

Research within GES is organised around two core themes: Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science, and Geocomputation and Data Science. At SUERC, research is structured across three thematic areas: Environment and Health, People and Place, and One Planet. We work in close coordination, with multiple shared projects, and are jointly submitted under Unit of Assessment 7 in the Research Excellence Framework (REF). GES also hosts the Human Geography Research Group, which forms the basis for a separate REF submission. There is significant collaboration between GES and SUERC — evident in joint research projects, impact activity, postgraduate supervision, and undergraduate and MSc teaching.

Image of the earth with three boxes saying SUERC, Geocomputation and Data Science (GES) and Earth Environmental and Data Science (GES)

Figure 1. Earth and Environmental Sciences research organisation at the University of Glasgow.

A shared commitment to cutting-edge research and technological innovation underpins the partnership between the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences (GES) and the Centre for the Isotope Sciences (SUERC).

This collaboration is characterised by a range of integrated activities that strengthen both research and impact across the two units.

Key areas of collaboration include:

Complementary research themes (Figure 2), bi-weekly regroup cluster meetings, and cross-cutting research seminars.
Multiple collaborative research projects/grants.
Co-supervision of PhD students.
Shared access to analytical and high-performance computing resources.
Collaborative research impact and equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) activities.

Our partnership is built on mutual strengths and a shared vision to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing society—from climate change and planetary science to sustainable technologies and public health.

Interested in learning more about what we do? Check out our respective websites (GES, SUERC), and research facilities (GES, SUERC).

Inner circle says Earth Systems Interactions, then 6 outer circles say Building A Habitable Planet, One Planet, People and Place, Environmental Health, Changing Environments & Communities, and Sustainable and Resilient Futures. Diagram also says GES and SUERC showing the joint initiative.