Research with Plymouth Business School
Our research-active community produces high quality multi and interdisciplinary research of local, national and international importance

Plymouth Business School has a research active community producing high quality trans- and interdisciplinary research of local, national and international importance. We work collaboratively, engaging with individuals, businesses and organisations from the private, public and third sectors to deliver impactful research which is making a difference to societies, economies and cultures around the world, and which is embedded into our overseas and domestic, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Studying at Plymouth Business School will connect you with our research and thought leadership– translating, applying and testing ideas, concepts and models into the world of business. You will be working with pioneering academics of global standing who have extensive and active networks in a range of industries and we are committed to ensuring our students have the opportunity to explore the latest developments across a variety of areas.
Our commitment to sustainable business underpins our research agenda. Plymouth Business School is home to two interdisciplinary research clusters:
Through these centres, we deliver an extensive portfolio of high quality, impactful research outputs, internally and externally grant-funded collaborative research involving academics from over institutions as well as regional, national and international stakeholders outside the academic community, and knowledge exchange and transfer activities.
The two clusters are home to over 40 researchers with expertise in a diverse range of disciplines and subjects, and to over 100 postgraduate researchers enrolled on our PhD and DBA programmes. The clusters provide a supportive and development infrastructure to all Plymouth Business School researchers and are closely aligned to the University’s three institutes – the Sustainable Earth Institute, the Marine Institute and the Institute of Health and Community – facilitating collaborative working with academics from across the University.
Plymouth Business School’s key research strength is reflected in its two interdisciplinary clusters, within which there are a series of Research Initiatives (RIs) which bring together academics from across different subject areas who have a shared interest a specific research theme.
Plymouth Business School has solid research foundations delivered, in part, through the Institute for Social, Policy and Enterprise Research (iSPER)
iSPER brings together academics from across the University of Plymouth and supports them in delivering high quality and impactful social, enterprise and policy research.
iSPER's key research strengths are reflected in its Themed Research Groups (TRGs), which bring together academics from across different disciplines who have a shared interest in a specific research theme.
Our staff are key researchers in the following iSPER themed research groups (TRGs)