Research
Current and recent research activities of the Centre:
- The TOP-MARD project: a European Union (Framework 6) funded project that will develop the concept of multifunctionality as a rural development policy instrument that is sensitive to economic, social, cultural, environmental and geographical context in an enlarged European Union.
- The latest thinking and understanding of rural exclusion in England (Countryside Agency)
- Research into community development and planning
- Scoping study of older people in Rural Scotland (Scottish Executive)
- Quality of life among older people living in rural areas: the role of formal organisations,social networks and civic participation.
- Networking in rural areas, the role of women and young people in the rural economy.
- Employers' and employees' attitudes towards family-friendly workplace policies and practices in the UK and Belgium.
- The ESPON project: Funded by the European Spatial Planning Observation Network to assess the territorial impact of CAP and rural development policy.
- The RESTRIM project: a European Commission funded project that examines the role of networks in promoting economic competitiveness and positive change in remote rural areas. National Reports and Executive Summary.
- Crofting Communities, Land & Management of Common Property in Scotland. (ESRC)
- Problems facing farm and croft families in Caithness and the solutions to these problems, sponsored by the Castle of Mey Trust.
- Corporate Men - Reassessing Work & Life Joint ESRC project with the Department of Management Studies
- Sustainable rural development policy and practice findings launched. The Rural Transfer Network, a Northern Periphery Programme research project. The Dossiers are available here.
- Professor Mark Shucksmith is part of a joint team with the Department of Urban Studies (University of Glasgow) to be awarded a major SHEFC grant for £780,000 for a new Scottish Centre for Research on Social Justice. Press release available at: www.newsdesk.gla.ac.uk/pressreleases/stories.asp?id=385
- Improving the Quality of Life in the Countryside
- Rural Development and Land Use Change Unit (ARC)
- "Exclusive Countryside? Social inclusion and regeneration in rural Britain"
- Children, family, community and work: an ethnography of the oil and gas industry in Scotland (ESRC).
- Policies and Young People in Rural Development - PAYPIRD (EU FAIR Programme)
- Dynamics of Rural Areas - DORA (EU 4th Framework).
- Lunchtime Seminar Series at the Arkleton Centre.
Previous research
Other research activities by Centre members
- Co-ordination of a 16-country network of rural practitioners and researchers to assess recent and current rural social science research, and identifying new research needs and priorities.
- Co-ordination of a 12-country network to study Rural Change in Europe (EU).
- Co-ordination of case studies and EU analysis dealing with prospects for European rural areas for Europe 2000 and Europe 2000 Plus projects.
- Assessment of rural disadvantage in Scotland: how it is experienced and how can it be tackled.
- A review of rural disadvantage in England (for the Rural Development Commission).
- A review of support for crofter housing.
- A study of Scottish rural life.
- Evaluation of Scottish Homes' Rural Demonstration Areas.
- A review of Scottish Homes' rural policy.
- A classification of rural housing market areas in England.
- Evaluation of the Highlands and Islands Telecommunications Initiative (funded by HIE.)
- Co-ordination of the "Future Prospects Group" and partner in the new European Observatory, established by the EU, to monitor rural change and the success of rural development policies.
- Partnership in the 11-country RUSSTIC network for the training of young rural social scientists.
- Co-ordination of the joint Highlands and Islands Nordic Council study of areas of potential collaboration on Information Technology in peripheral areas.
- Assessment of the rationales, mechanisms and tools, and effectiveness of community participation in rural policy.
- Assessment of the changing relationships between farming and rural economy.
- Involvement in the Rural Partnership with the Further Education Colleges in the Highlands and Islands forming the University of the Highlands and Islands network to develope postgraduate distance-learning packages in research methods and rural developement.
- Social and development forestry issues in rural economies.
- Assessment of rural youth, lifestyles and health for the Scottish Office.
- Investigation into car dependency in rural Scotland for the Scottish Office.
- Representations of incomers to remote rural areas.
- Co-ordination of a 12-country EU funded Concerted Action for research network for policy analysis for rural areas.
- Partnership in a 3-country EU-funded study of impact of structural funding on remote rural areas.
- Co-ordination of a 3-country EU funded investigation into the economic impacts of different types of rural tourism.
- The potential for community participation in forest management in remote rural areas (Forestry Commission).
- Forming effective rural partnerships (Scottish Office).