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Our Research

Research Into Sustainability Issues

Cardiff University is internationally recognised as being among the top tier of Britain's research-intensive universities. The University is also unusual in the degree to which sustainable development research is a key strength across a wide range of disciplines. This strength is reflected in a number of major research funding awards and the establishment of leading research centres, which include:

Orangutan and its young. Picture courtesy Rudi Delveaux.

The University's Biosciences researchers use genetic techniques to help conserve rare and endangered species. Picture courtesy Rudi Delveaux.

  • The Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society (BRASS), which combines research expertise from the Business School, the Law School and the School of City and Regional Planning. The centre has a research focus on the sustainability and social responsibility of businesses and their relationships with key stakeholders;
  • The Centre for Automotive Industry Research (CAIR), based at the Business School, which specialises in sustainability research including the development of more sustainable manufacturing systems and an environmental rating system for cars;
  • The Centre for Research in the Built Environment (CRiBE), also based at the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University, with a primary aim in the effective and sustainable design, construction and operation of the built environment;
  • The Geobiology Group, within the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, which studies the effects of biological processes on the Earth System and geological records of the evolution of life.
  • The Geoenvironmental Group, within the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, whose research focuses on environmental processes, environmental change and environmental protection on land and in the near-shore marine and coastal environments;
  • The Institute of Energy, based in the School of Engineering, which is an innovative and pioneering research centre with a mission to advance energy technology and play a key role in addressing the increasing demand for sustainable and low carbon technologies;
  • The Institute of Environment and Sustainability, also based in the School of Engineering, which is is a multidisciplinary research group comprising: the Geoenvironmental Research Centre and the Hydro-Environmental Research Centre.
  • The Institute of Green Electronic Systems - Communications, Sensors and Materials, based in the School of Engineering, which is engaged in world class research in the fundamental science and engineering applications of magnetic and electronic materials, wireless communications systems, sensor technologies, signal processing and microfluidics;
    Cartoon representation of abrupt climate change showing opposing temperature responses in either hemisphere of the planet

    Researchers at the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences are investigating the mechanisms behind abrupt climate change. Image courtesy Dr Stephen Barker.

  • The Low Carbon Research Institute (LCRI), based at the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University, a £50M world-leading initiative; which will develop capacity and facilities around the existing areas of low carbon and energy expertise in Wales, whilst being international in its outlook, developing a strategic long term programme of research;
  • The Organisms and Environment research division, within the School of Biosciences, whose aim is to understand the ecological, health and genetic consequences of environmental change on biological diversity;
  • The Palaeoclimate & Climate Systems Research Group, within the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, whose objective is to study and better understand the response of the ocean-climate system to various types of forcing, such as changing greenhouse gas concentrations or ocean circulation patterns;
  • The Risk, Science, Health and the Media group in the School of Journalism, which researches the media coverage of topical issues including sustainability - see also the recent book "Climate Change and the Media";
  • The Sustainable Places Research Institute, a meeting place for world-leading sustainability science, focussed on exploring innovative solutions for a more sustainable future;
  • The Understanding Risk research group, a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary group which includes members of the School of Psychology. The group examines risk in real-life situations including public perception of climate change risks and related technologies.

and many other research groups.

For more information on the University's world-leading research programme, please see the University's Research homepage.