The Department of the Natural and Built Environment has established itself as a leading provider of high quality research and scholarships in our sector. We have developed a national and international reputation for our academic and industry-focused research

Our research seeks to understand the impact of social, environmental and economic changes on society, and then to draw on this understanding to contribute to the better design and planning of spaces and places. Ultimately this leads to the creation, management and maintenance of improved built and natural environments.

In order to support and extend our research activities, we focus our research through six informal research groups, from the strategic and global level, to local solutions to practical problems:

• Construction Materials
• Environment
• Housing and Neighbourhoods
• Planning
• Space and Place
• Sustainable Design, Architecture and Construction

We also work closely with the Centre for Regional, Economic and Social Research.

The department supports over thirty national and international researchers, including industry and government sponsored students and international scholarship researchers.

In the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 exercise, our subject area was ranked first among 23 modern universities and eleventh of all UK universities. Overall, 65% of the research submitted by Sheffield Hallam received the prestigious 4* and 3* rating as world-leading and internationally excellent, moving the University up 25 places in the national research league tables. Our established collaborations with society, industry and the professional sectors promote the transfer of knowledge and underpin the teaching and learning across the department.

Typical activities include

• editorial board membership of peer-reviewed journals
• visiting professorships
• international conference and technical committees
• working parties and committee membership of professional bodies and associations
• membership of national and overseas research grant councils
• field and laboratory research
• advice to government agencies, ministers and specialist committees

Staff profiles

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Publications