The School undertakes world-class interdisciplinary research, addresses societal and environmental problems, and advances knowledge within an intellectually vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment that combines natural and social sciences and has geography at its core.
We are also developing better public policy, supporting enterprise and innovation, and facilitating knowledge exchange through wider public engagement.
You can find out more about our research highlights through our latest news, 'Spotlight on Research' series, and recent publications.
Research Highlights



Our Research Centres
In addition to world leading education and research in the School, we host three internationally recognised research centres and lead cross-university initiatives and collaborative networks.
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Environmental Change Institute
The ECI is an interdisciplinary institute for research on the complex processes of global environmental change, the exploration of sustainable solutions, and the promotion of change for the better through partnership and education.
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Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment
The SSEE is a leading interdisciplinary, international academic hub focused upon teaching, research, and engagement with businesses and enterprise on climate change and long-term environmental sustainability.
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Transport Studies Unit
The Transport Studies Unit seeks to advance innovative approaches to the study of 'transport futures' over time and space.
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Our Research Networks
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Oxford Networks for the Environment
The Oxford Networks for the Environment mobilise the University's expertise to find solutions to the complex, converging challenges of energy, water, food security, climate change, and threats to biodiversity.
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Latest Publications
- Mason, O., Barry, A., Grove, K., Massey, R., McConnell, F. and Menga, F. (2023) Critically reflecting on the PolGRG Book Prize. Guest Editorial. Political Geography, 104. 102906.
- Harris, J., Craggs, R. and McConnell, F. (2023) Understanding Diplomatic Training from the Global South: Transnational Networks and (Post)colonial Connections. Diplomatica, 5: 121-129.
- Saddington, L. and McConnell, F. (2023) Debating global governance: resources to engage A level students with geopolitics. Teaching Geography, 48(1): 14-17.
- Vandvik, V., Halbritter, A.H., Althuizen, I.H.J., et al. (2023) Plant traits and associated data from a warming experiment, a seabird colony, and along elevation in Svalbard. Scientific Data, 10. 578.
- Seppä, H., Seidenkrantz, M.S., Caissie, B. and Macias-Fauria, M. (2023) Polar bear's range dynamics and survival in the Holocene. Quaternary Science Reviews, 317. 108277.
- Gebrechorkos, S., Leyland, J., Slater, L., et al. (2023) A high-resolution daily global dataset of statistically downscaled CMIP6 models for climate impact analyses. Scientific Data, 10. 611.
- Hopkins, B. and Klinke, I. (2023) Ellen Churchill Semple's Political Economy: Slavery, Frontier, Imperium. Annals of the Association of American Geographers.