Research opportunities in the rural environment are available for either full-time or part-time study.
The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) is a joint institute of the University of Gloucestershire and the University of the West of England. It is one of the leading specialist rural research centres in the UK and offers a wide range of postgraduate opportunities for research.
The CCRI undertakes academic research across a wide range of rural issues and currently has programmes of research in agriculture, food and land use, community and society and the rural environment.
The CCRI provides a stimulating and supportive environment for postgraduate students to pursue research for PhD and MPhil degrees, full-time or part-time. There is a vibrant research student community, and students are encouraged to interact with the professional life of the Institute through the fora of a Winter
School, writing groups, seminars and workshops. The Institute holds ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) Mode A and CASE recognition. Potential UK research students, (both full and part-time), are eligible for ESRC funding as are EU research students although the latter are only eligible for funding to cover fees.
As an MPhil student you will critically evaluate an approved topic, resulting in an independent contribution to knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of research methods through a thesis and coursework. Similar expectations apply to the Masters by research (MRes). For the PhD you will also be required to make an independent and original contribution to knowledge. An MPhil or PhD will open the door to work in fulltime research, management posts in a wide range of rural and environmental organisations, or to careers in local authorities or government agencies concerned with rural issues. Research Degrees are primarily carried out
through individual supervision.
Financial support
ESRC grants are available competitively through the Institute. Studentships may also be available from the CCRI.
Additional support
An annual Research Student Training Grant is available for CCRI research students to cover costs associated with fieldwork, books and conference attendance.
Training in Research Methods
All research students who have not already completed a relevant Masters Degree or other appropriate research methods training are required to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methods, and may extend this to Diploma or Masters Degree level.
Entry requirements
- You will normally need an honours degree of upper second class or above from a UK university, or an equivalent qualification, in a subject area relevant to the proposed research topic
- In exceptional circumstances, the university will consider applications from non-graduates with experience of undertaking research. Registration is usually for MPhil or MSc (by research) with the possibility of transfer to PhD
- Candidates may register for PhD directly if they have a recent masters qualification in a relevant subject that contained appropriate research methods training.
Staff offering supervision
Paul Courtney BA PhD
Senior Research Fellow
Rural economics, the rural economy and rural tourism
Nigel Curry BA MSc PhD
Director of CCRI and Professor of Countryside Planning
Rural economy, planning process and rural communities
Janet Dwyer BA PhD
Reader in Rural Studies
Agriculture, rural development, rural environment, rural policy
Peter Gaskell BA PhD
Senior Research Fellow
Rural training, agriculture & the environment, historic buildings
Brian Ilbery BA PhD CGeog FRGS
Professor of Rural Studies
Agricultural change and policy, rural development, alternative farm enterprises, short food supply chains, local/regional speciality food and drink products
Owain Jones MSc MA PhD
Research Fellow
Rural communities and rural childhood, landscape, place and nature, sustainable food chains
James Kirwan BSc PhD MRICS
Senior Research Fellow
Food supply chain, the reconfiguration of producer - consumer relations
Damian Maye BSc MSc PhD
Senior Research Fellow
Rural geography, agricultural restructuring, food supply chains, rural development
Malcolm Moseley BA MA MSc (Econ) PhD
Professor of Rural Community Development
Rural community development, European rural development, rural service provision
Stephen Owen BA MRTPI FRSA
Professor of Local Planning Design
Local planning design, plan formulation, development control
John Powell BA MSc PhD
Senior Research Fellow
Natural resources policy & planning
Matt Reed MSc PhD
Research Fellow
Organic farming and food, food promotion, family farming, local food economy
Chris Short MPhil
Senior Research Fellow and Field Chair for Environmental Management and Geography
Agri-environmental schemes, the rural church, common land, sustainable land