Research in sustainability

From climate science and sustainable development to energy ethics and technologies, world-leading research on sustainability is taking place at the University of St Andrews. Across the breadth of the University, our researchers are addressing key questions on the defining issues of our generation.

What you can do

Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs)

Get involved with one of our Vertically Integrated Projects. Visit the website to find out more and apply to one of these interdisciplinary research projects covering a range of sustainability topics.

St Andrews Research Internship Scheme (StARIS)

The St Andrews Research Internship Scheme (StARIS) hosts paid research interns. These provide students the opportunity to engage in real-world research projects, fostering the development of technical skills and competencies while collaborating with researchers in their fields of study.

The projects span a diverse range of topics across disciplines, often with the aim of addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What we are doing

St Andrews' definition of 'sustainability research' is broad and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainability Goals (UN SDGs). You can learn more about some of the work in the latest Sustainability Report:

  • climate inequality
  • political ecology
  • ecocriticism
  • environmental humanities
  • sustainability
  • climate change
  • energy
  • ecosystems
  • biodiversity
  • development
  • anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity and populations

Corrour Partnership

The Corrour X University of St Andrews Partnership brings together the University of St Andrews and Corrour in a long-term collaboration for nature-based climate mitigation, and research and teaching.  

Together, we are creating a living laboratory at Corrour that advances the shared missions of both institutions: 

  • Corrour’s mission is to be a leading example of landscape-scale ecological restoration, encouraging natural processes to return and flourish.
  • The University’s sustainability strategy commits to achieving net zero by 2035 and leading global transitions through research, education, and partnership.

Corrour is a key contributor to the St Andrews Forest— a flagship initiative of the University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy. Through a nature-based carbon agreement, Corrour supports the University’s journey to net zero by providing high-integrity, additional carbon units from woodland regeneration and peatland restoration. 

Research and Collaboration Opportunities 

We invite researchers from across all disciplines to propose projects that explore, question, and contribute to our understanding of ecological restoration and sustainability in its broadest sense, including the natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, technology, policy, economics, and interdisciplinary approaches. 

For more information on Corrour, and how to submit a proposal, please visit the St Andrews Forest page.

Centres and institutes

We have a number of cross-School and internal research centres and initiatives exploring different aspects of sustainability research within and across disciplines, including the Centre for Energy Ethics (CEE), the Third Generation Project, and the Biodiversity Interdisciplinary Research Community Hub (BIRCH).

Centre for Energy Ethics (CEE)

Started in 2021, the Centre for Energy Ethics explores how energy systems are connected to politics, economics and social life. The group questions how substantial transformations in our relationships with energy production, distribution and consumption come about. The centre is led by Professor Mette High, Dr Sean Field and Dr Emilka Skrzypek. Get involved by signing up to the weekly CEE Newsletter or contacting the team at admin.cee@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Third Generation Project

The Third Generation Project is a research and advocacy initiative at the University of St Andrews dedicated to addressing global social justice challenges through collaboration with marginalised communities. Focused on decolonising research practices, the project amplifies voices often excluded from policy and academic discourse. By fostering partnerships and producing impactful, community-driven work, it seeks to influence equitable and sustainable solutions to pressing global issues.

Biodiversity Interdisciplinary Research Community Hub (BIRCH)

The Biodiversity Interdisciplinary Research Community Hub (BIRCH) is a network of staff with an interest in nature, human-nature relationships, biodiversity and ecosystem management. The network supports staff across Schools to develop transdisciplinary projects and to engage students in new ways of thinking about and protecting nature.

St Andrews Environmental Humanities Network

The St Andrews Environmental Humanities Network brings together researchers, students, and practitioners whose work engages with ecocultural issues ranging from the study of ancient landscape management and representations to investigations of contemporary sustainable behaviours and practices. 

St Andrews Centre for Critical Sustainabilities (StACCS)

The St Andrews Centre for Critical Sustainabilities (StACCS) is co-directed by Dr Ian Lawson and Dr Louise Reid and brings together colleagues from across disciplines and career stages to tackle the complex challenges of sustainability. Recognising that this work demands collaboration beyond academia, StACCS is committed to building equitable, reciprocal partnerships and fostering a community united by the ambition to generate new understandings, practice responsible scholarship, and co-produce knowledge with diverse partners and communities.