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C17: Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

OU geographical and environmental research is shifting perceptions and changing policy on issues of key importance, at local, national and international levels.

Research specialisms

  • Space and power
  • Culture and practice
  • Environment and politics 

Headline results

  • 76% of OU research was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent (4* or 3*) for its overall quality
  • 100% of OU research was assessed as 4* or 3* for impact

Research highlights

Research is driving public engagement in environmental issues through media portrayal for example through advisory roles on the world’s first climate change political thriller, Burn Up, a Springwatch climate special and in co-commissions: BBC World TV Earth Reporters docs (70m viewers on first transmissions) and the BBC World Service Climate Connections series (40 million listeners). 

By developing and promoting the concept of the ‘international forest regime’ the research has shifted international policymakers towards a more holistic approach to protecting the world’s forests.

OU geography research is enriching the work of cultural workers, organisations and educators, with our geographers writing interpretative frameworks for a number of visual arts projects and museums.

Find out more about our researchers

Current staff (research projects, publications, contact details) in the related departments