Research groups

The breadth and depth of our research portfolio is a hallmark of Bristol's world-renowned reputation in Geographical Sciences.

The school is continually ranked among the top UK departments of its kind and we attract some of the largest tranches of funding from national and international research councils.

Our thematic priorities are closely aligned with those of the wider scientific community, and our experts are well-placed to help address some of the biggest challenges of the 21st century.

• Bristol Glaciology Centre

  The Bristol Glaciology Centre (BGC) focuses on the study of cold and ice-covered regions across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Renowned for its multidisciplinary approach, the BGC employs advanced research methods, including remote sensing, numerical modeling, and field studies, to understand and address the impacts of changing cryospheric environments on ecosystems and communities.
• Bristol Research Initiative for the Dynamic Global Environment

  Our research is centred on understanding the past, present, and future Earth system, with a focus on climate and biogeochemical modelling, and geochemistry.
• States, Economies & Societies

  We conduct globally-focused, multi-scalar, mixed-method research to address pressing challenges at the intersection of political, economic and social geography.
• Historical and Cultural Research Group

  The Research Group is at the forefront of conceptual, critical and creative scholarship in cultural and historical geographies.
• Hydrology Group

  Our research interests focus on the understanding and modelling of hydrologic and hydraulic problems using advanced numerical methods, remote sensing, laboratory experiments and field measurements.
• Personal Finance Research Centre

  The Personal Finance Research Centre is an independent research centre that specialises in social research across all areas of personal finance, mainly from the consumer's perspective.
• Quantitative Spatial Science

  The Quantitative Spatial Sciences group (QuSS) assesses a wide range of social, political, economic, demographic, health, and environmental research questions using innovative quantitative methods across statistics, spatial analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. 
• Political Ecologies

  The Political Ecologies Research Group brings together academic staff and postgraduate research students who share interests in the knowledge dynamics and power struggles shaping contemporary human–environment relations.