Addressing global challenges through the lens of place
Research driven by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business
Plymouth's cross-institutional place-based research aligns with government agendas for people and place, as well as UKRI and British Academy priorities. A critical mass of SHAPE – Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy – researchers in collaboration with STEMM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine – colleagues are tackling global challenges associated with health, marine and sustainability.
The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business is a hub for interdisciplinary, impactful research with strengths in smart cities, environmental building, coastal communities, heritage and place-making, digital and immersive technologies, arts-health research, environmental cultures, lifelong education, and global displacement.
Exploring the modern world through the lens of place
We investigate the intricate relationships between communities, the natural world, and technology.
Locally, we co-create sustainable solutions to complex problems in order to build resilient and thriving neighbourhoods, cities, and regions. Our work transcends geographical, social and political boundaries to become applicable on a global level.
Our research is organised under five priority themes
Making place a primary context of study
Place-based research explores how a location's unique features and dynamics affect social, economic, cultural, environmental, and political phenomena. This approach:
- involves a geographic concentration on a particular location
- promotes a contextual understanding by taking into account historical and environmental factors
- encourages community involvement to make the research more relevant
- examines interconnected elements within the chosen place through an interdisciplinary approach
Plymouth Perspectives on Place
Building resilience with place-based solutions
Can social sciences, humanities and the arts play a major role in creating community-led policy?
Read the full article
Published in New Statesman, 19 July
Published in New Statesman, 19 July
The power of place
Can we empower communities to help them imagine a better climate future?
Read the full article
Published in New Statesman, 12 July
Impacting communities through research and knowledge exchange
Research impact
Researchers in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Business are actively engaged with stakeholders outside the University context, to contribute to meaningful and tangible benefits for people, the environment, and communities.
Leveraging SHAPE expertise in the STEMM agenda
We also work with colleagues across health, marine and sustainability through projects driven by the University's Strategic Research Institutes.
SHAP(E)ing Health
Unlocking the potential of arts - health collaboration - Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research
Marine Culture
Exploring arts and humanities perspectives on marine environment - Marine Institute
Creative Associates
Developing novel, innovative and creative ways of communicating research - Sustainable Earth Institute
Latest news
Social science festival success
The University held events ranging from cooking to the sand crisis at the ESRC Festival of Social Science
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“University has been one of the best things to ever happen to me”
Criminology student Issy Hart is a published author and disability advocate, who shares how uni has helped her thrive.
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Redefining what it means to be powerful
Doaa Shayea is a sociology student and GB Parapowerlifter, who is challenging and changing perceptions of disability
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Creative Coastal Futures
Plymouth features in nationwide Culture, Development & Place event
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“It's a hidden gem” – meet the international student championing Plymouth
Sumalka Mendis is passionate about her city and ensuring that everyone, from local to international, can benefit from education within it.
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Our research environment
Knowledge Exchange, Experiential Education & Skills
Empowering transformation through collaborative partnerships, hands-on learning experiences, and future-focused skills development.
Postgraduate research
Become part of our scholarly community that proudly includes a wide range of research approaches and disciplines
Arts & Culture Programme
The University’s arts and culture programme welcomes everyone to experience high quality exhibitions, talks, films, music, performances, and events throughout the year.
Engaging with policy toolkit
Guidance on how government, parliament and policy making works and how researchers can engage with policy-making processes
Researcher support
Supporting researchers to maximise their impact and influence policy to transform the places and spaces we inhabit.
Digital innovations
Our cutting edge facilities attracts and supports researchers from a wider range of disciplines
The Bridge
Connecting people, ideas and opportunities
Providing integrated support for Research, Impact, Experiential Education, Knowledge Exchange and Civic and Cultural engagement in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business.
The Bridge is a dynamic force for positive change, advancing knowledge and understanding through collaboration, creativity, and innovation. We create inclusive spaces where everyone can engage with art, culture, and cutting-edge research, inspiring people to learn, connect, and shape a brighter future.
Strategic Research Institutes and research centres
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Marine Institute
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Sustainable Earth Institute
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Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research
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Centre for Coastal Communities
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Centre for Systems Thinking: Ocean, Land and Society
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Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy
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Centre of Research excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Productive Systems