Research
Recognised globally for the benefit we deliver through our research
We operate as a leading research-led School, with a vision to be a creative hub, and a place which investigates the challenges of the Anthropocene in an holistic, creative and inter-disciplinary way.
The School has much impactful work in urbanism, community, heritage, infrastructure, population and climate change: several of the Queens Social Charter Projects are hosted within the School, and there are good links with the ‘Energy’ Pioneer Research Programme (PRP); and Global Research Institutes, The Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice and the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS).
Outside the University, there are meaningful connections and collaborations with the Geological Survey NI, Belfast City Council, the Ministerial Advisory Group and East Side Partnership, amongst many others. In continuing to work with our key stakeholders at all stages of the research process we aim to ensure that the research conducted within the School is relevant and will lead to changes that improve outcomes for our society.
Research Disciplines
Research Clusters
Interdisciplinary research
The School has developed inter-disciplinary work through 3 cross-disciplinary research clusters: Sustainable Built Environment; Environmental Change and Resilience; Culture and Society.
Research ClustersWhat else goes on in our School?
See how we contribute to the life of the school
International Connections
The School has numerous research partnerships with universities and other organisations around the world and collaborates on large cross-institutional projects. Key partnerships for student/staff exchanges include Tezpur University India, University of New Brunswick, the National University of Civil Engineering, Vietnam, and IAESTE, UK Placement. We also have MoUs with the Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration at the Chinese Academy of Global Sciences (CAGS) and with UNESCO International Center on Global-Scale Geochemistry.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Our postdoctoral research staff play an important role in our research activities and the School runs a mentoring programme to support their career development. Meet our Postdoctoral Research Fellows.
Postgraduate Research
Postgraduate students form an intrinsic part of our research community and are actively involved in the School's Research Cluster activities. They come from countries in Asia, Africa, North America, Europe and Australia. Find out more about PhD Research at the School.
Conferences
In recent years we have hosted major international conferences, such as the Urban History Society Conference (2019), Economic History Society Conference (2019). Oral History Society Conference (2018), and European Social Science History Conference (2018).
Research Centres
The School is home to five Research Centres including the recently established Centre for GIS and Geomatics which was formed as part of a strategic commitment to expanding GI Science research and impact at Queen's.
Interdisciplinary Research
Our researchers also contribute to a wide range of interdisciplinary research centres at Queen’s, including the Institute for Irish Studies; the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice; Centre of Excellence for Public Health.
#1
in the UK for research intensity
Research Excellence Framework (2014)#1
in the UK for teaching satisfaction (97.5%)
2018 Guardian League Tables#3
in the UK for Research Ranking
Times Good University Guide 2019