Research in sustainability
From climate science and sustainable development to energy ethics and technologies, world-leading research on sustainability is taking place at the University of St Andrews. Across the breadth of the University, our researchers are addressing key questions on the defining issues of our generation.
What you can do
Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs)
Get involved with one of our Vertically Integrated Projects. Visit the website to find out more and apply to one of these interdisciplinary research projects covering a range of sustainability topics.
St Andrews Research Internship Scheme (StARIS)
The St Andrews Research Internship Scheme (StARIS) hosts paid research interns. These provide students the opportunity to engage in real-world research projects, fostering the development of technical skills and competencies while collaborating with researchers in their fields of study.
The projects span a diverse range of topics across disciplines, often with the aim of addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What we are doing
St Andrews' definition of 'sustainability research' is broad and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainability Goals (UN SDGs). You can learn more about some of the work in the latest Sustainability Report:
- climate inequality
- political ecology
- ecocriticism
- environmental humanities
- sustainability
- climate change
- energy
- ecosystems
- biodiversity
- development
- anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity and populations
Centres and institutes
We have a number of cross-School and internal research centres and initiatives exploring different aspects of sustainability research within and across disciplines, including the Centre for Energy Ethics (CEE), the Third Generation Project, and the Biodiversity Interdisciplinary Research Community Hub (BIRCH).
Centre for Energy Ethics (CEE)
Started in 2021, the Centre for Energy Ethics explores how energy systems are connected to politics, economics and social life. The group questions how substantial transformations in our relationships with energy production, distribution and consumption come about. The centre is led by Professor Mette High, Dr Sean Field and Dr Emilka Skrzypek. Get involved by signing up to the weekly CEE Newsletter or contacting the team at admin.cee@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Third Generation Project
The Third Generation Project is a research and advocacy initiative at the University of St Andrews dedicated to addressing global social justice challenges through collaboration with marginalised communities. Focused on decolonising research practices, the project amplifies voices often excluded from policy and academic discourse. By fostering partnerships and producing impactful, community-driven work, it seeks to influence equitable and sustainable solutions to pressing global issues.
Biodiversity Interdisciplinary Research Community Hub (BIRCH)
The Biodiversity Interdisciplinary Research Community Hub (BIRCH) is a network of staff with an interest in nature, human-nature relationships, biodiversity and ecosystem management. The network supports staff across Schools to develop transdisciplinary projects and to engage students in new ways of thinking about and protecting nature.
