Drone shot of the Gilbert Scott Building

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

REF2021 Results

Urban Studies submitted to Unit of Assessment 13 (Architecture, Built Environment and Planning) in the REF2021 exercise.  The panel found that 96% of our research was internationally excellent or world leading in terms of its originality, significance and rigour. 

Read our full statement. 

Impact Case Studies

Impact of UofG Research

Urban Studies has a vibrant research environment with a strong culture of collaboration. We are committed to knowledge exchange, advancing public and policymaker understanding, and achieving societal impact from our research.  

Research Culture and Environment

Urban Studies’ research environment is characterised by its vitality, diverse interests and intellectual energy. This enables our staff and students to engage creatively with other scholars, keep up-to-date with developments in urban research, and form the connections that support the pursuit of collaborative, impactful research agendas.  

Celebrating our Partnerships

In the last six years, Urban Studies has developed over 120 external collaborations with academics beyond Glasgow. These networks facilitate joint research across our research agenda and support knowledge exchange and policy action. In this academic year, a host of new collaborations have been kickstarted, with UK universities ranging from Aberystwyth to Warwick, and international institutions from Bucharest to Zimbabwe.   

Celebrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Our researchers are central to the success of the Urban Big Data Centre (UBDC) and the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE).

Future of Research at Glasgow

Urban Studies continues its work across a rich agenda: it aims to make a substantial, enduring contribution to understanding how lives are affected by conditions in cities across global regions, as well as the related policy challenges.