Research and innovation
Urban analytics
Our urban analytics experts work with key decision makers, public bodies and businesses to drive a smarter future for urban life
Find out moreResearch highlights
Our School has delivered impactful, challenge-led research to transform lives and the world we live in
Find out moreResearch and innovation
Our researchers work at the forefront of global agendas, leading the way in finding solutions to major social and environmental challenges. Through interdisciplinary research, our expertise influences key decision-makers shaping environmental protection, public health and the economy.
We have a strong track-record of collaborations with academic institutions, businesses, NGOs and governmental bodies around the world. Our researchers have leadership roles in major international initiatives and projects, such as ForestPlots.net, Rainfor, PeatDataHub, BESTMAP, Euro-FLOW, Contested Cities network, Contested Territories, and CongoPeat.
We also have leadership roles in national excellence centres including the Yorkshire Integrated Catchment Solutions Programme (iCASP), the ESRC Consumer Data Research Centre, the Alan Turing Urban Analytics programme, the Methane Observations and Yearly Assessments (MOYA) project, SIPHER consortium, and the Sustainable Microgrids project.
We work extensively with other schools and centres across the University, steering cross-faculty initiatives such as the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, water@leeds, the Global Food and Environment Institute, and Cultural Institute. We also have strong links with the Leeds Social Sciences Institute and Leeds Migration Research network.
93%
'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'
Submitted research - REF 2021
11th
in the world for Geography
ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2021
Over 80
academic and research staff
working with over 60 PhD researchers to deliver high-impact research
Our research
Institute for Spatial Data Science
We develop innovative ways of looking at the world to understand business, society and the environment at different spatial scales and by providing applied or policy-related analyses of geographical behaviour.
More on Institute for Spatial Data ScienceSocial Justice, Cities, Citizenship
We aim to understand the complexities of social (in)justice and citizenship at different geographical and temporal scales and contribute to efforts at achieving a radically fairer world.
More on Social Justice, Cities, CitizenshipEcology and Global Change
Working in biomes across the world from tropical rain forests to Arctic tundra, we aim to determine the nature of environmental change at a range of temporal and spatial scales.
More on Ecology and Global ChangeRiver Basin Processes and Management
We provide leadership in understanding and managing environmental processes and feedbacks that control and link water, sediment, solute and biotic dynamics in river basins, estuaries and marine systems.
More on River Basin Processes and ManagementImpact
We collaborate with civic society, businesses and governments to improve societal well-being and sustainable economic growth.
These case studies illustrate some of the global impacts of our research:
Charting a path out of the wilderness for the planet's sake
Leading the way to affordable, low impact homes
Protecting the aguaje forests of the Amazon
Microscopic ash particles detection benefits global aircraft operators
Steering future cycleway investment
We regularly summarise our latest research in our Briefing Notes
Research projects
Our research expertise is driving solutions to global issues, shaping environmental planning, protection and influencing our future. You can search and read our impactful, innovative and highly diverse projects in our Research directory.
News
Leeds researchers named Future Leaders
Monday 22 July 2024
More on Leeds researchers named Future LeadersResearch degrees
Studying for a PhD will be a journey that will stimulate your passion for your subject and push you to reach your potential.
Search our projects, ideas, funding opportunities, research areas and PhD supervisors.
Collaborate with us
We are committed to sharing our world-leading knowledge, facilities, expertise and technologies with external academic and industrial collaborators.
Research collaboration
We work alongside forward-thinking external partners looking to research and develop exciting new projects. Our aim is to make it as easy as possible for you to access our specialist expertise.
More on Research collaborationAccess our facilities
Benefit from our wide range of facilities, from controlled environmental chambers to specialist laboratories dedicated to microscopy, physical soil analysis and tree ring analysis.
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