Addressing global challenges through the lens of place

Research driven by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business
Place-based research concept: crowd of people standing on a computer motherboard (full-bleed)
 
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

Map of Plymouth with flags indication places and colourful string used to connect flags. Concept for place, community and creativity research (full-bleed hero size)
Place, community and creativity
South West Innovation Expo
Heritage, culture and digital innovation
Health, community and wellbeing research concept: person in wheelchair overlooking a sandy beach and the sea, three children holding hands in the distance.
Health, community and wellbeing
Group of people protesting for an environmental cause.
Environment and sustainability
UK in a changing world research concept: image of the UK on top of computer graphics
UK in a changing world
 

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

Union Street, Plymouth, decorated for a community event

Building resilience with place-based solutions

Can social sciences, humanities and the arts play a major role in creating community-led policy?
Professor Katharine Willis examines how place-based research underpins social equity.
Read the full article
Published in New Statesman, 19 July
 

The power of place

Can we empower communities to help them imagine a better climate future?
Professor Alison Anderson and Professor David Sergeant explore how we might use climate education and creativity to make a change for good.

Read the full article

Published in New Statesman, 12 July
Young people taking part in a climate change protest
 

Impacting communities through research and knowledge exchange

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AHRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA)

This strategic award provides funding to amplify the non-academic impact of arts and humanities research, offering two core funding schemes: the Impact Initiation Fund and the Impact Project and Fellowship Fund. Both schemes aim to establish, develop and accelerate impact from existing, high-quality, published research.
AHRC Impact Acceleration Account
 

Latest news

Key Cities Innovation Network - Culture, Place and Development report launch
University contributes to report focused on driving development through culture, creativity and place

Professor Chris Bennewith and Professor Katharine Willis are among the authors of a publication produced by the Key Cities Innovation Network

12 May 2025
 

Our research environment

Atlantic project full bleed greyscale for The Bridge
Knowledge Exchange, Experiential Education & Skills

Empowering transformation through collaborative partnerships, hands-on learning experiences, and future-focused skills development.
Zoe Latham PhD Architecture.
Postgraduate research

Become part of our scholarly community that proudly includes a wide range of research approaches and disciplines
Woman (Mary Costello) looking at at painting in The Levinksy Gallery. Black B superimposed over the image. Hero image concept for The Bridge Arts & Cultural Programme.
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.
Brussels, Belgium. 21st February 2019. High school and university students stage a protest against the climate policies of the Belgian government.
Engaging with policy toolkit

Guidance on how government, parliament and policy making works and how researchers can engage with policy-making processes
Shutterstock: arts research image. Splashes of bright colours.
Researcher support

Supporting researchers to maximise their impact and influence policy to transform the places and spaces we inhabit.
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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.
The Bridge concept – a teal, pink and orange abstract image with a B superimposed over the top in black

Browse our faculty research groups

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Strategic Research Institutes and research centres