CAHSS Research Themes

 We explore a range of issues around work, finance, markets and the economy, including issues of employment and productivity, poverty and welfare, and ageing and equality in the workplace – with approaches ranging from economic analysis, business and management studies to social, legal and historical studies of work.

Our research address challenges around the design and governance of energy systems and infrastructures in Scotland, the UK and across the world. We host a range of centres and clusters, now brought together under the auspices of the Edinburgh Earth Initiative.

Our research marshals big data, data analytics and digitisation to help transform society and the economy for the better – from exploiting financial data to address inequalities, to innovative approaches to digitising cultural assets, and devising ethical governance of autonomous systems. This is an area of major investment for our College and for the University, in the context of Data Driven Innovation programme of the Edinburgh and South East City Deal.

Our research supports the development of smart, sustainable and inclusive cities, both locally in Edinburgh, and internationally – combining architecture and design with a focus on well-being and inclusion, sustainability and energy use, and the deployment of urban analytics and modelling.

We address pressing challenges in international, global and multi-level governance, including issues of development and global inequalities; populism, democracy and citizen engagement; constitutional change in the UK and the EU; and the role of science and expertise in governance.

We explore the intersections between identities, inequalities and justice, across the areas of poverty, welfare, work, health, education, governance and justice – engaging with local and global partners to promote just and inclusive systems and practices.

We work with creative industries, museums and galleries, heritage and conservation organisations to develop innovative approaches to cultural heritage – with a particular focus on deploying digital technologies and AI to protect, enhance and share cultural assets.

Our research addresses challenges around child poverty, child rights and protection, families and relationships, health and mental health, and education and schooling – deploying a range of approaches from developmental psychology to big data analysis, from the historical study of child abuse to sports education.