Research and consultancy

The Department of Geography, Environment and Disaster Management is internationally recognised for the originality, significance and rigour of our research and boasts researchers of "international excellence" according to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

We take a professional approach to research to ensure that it is a rewarding experience for us, our research students and our research partners in government, industry and voluntary organisations.

Our expertise means that we hold contracts with UK research councils, the European Commission, government agencies, charitable organisations and private companies.

Applied Research Groups

The Department hosts the University research groups in Environment, Hazards and Risk, Sustainable Agriculture and Food and Sustainable Drainage.

In addition, members of the Department are actively involved in studies of African development, emergency planning, and coastal and dryland environments, and contribute to the Applied Research Centre in Sustainable Regeneration and the Serious Games Institute.

Environment, Hazards and Risk

The Environment, Hazards and Risk group is researching the processes that control the distribution of natural hazards, analysing the effects of climate change and developing novel methods to communicate hazard and risk information.

The group also provides a focal point for the University’s capacity in geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing. 

Sustainable Drainage

Research into Sustainable Drainage (SUDS) draws on cross-faculty expertise in porous paving, environmental geochemistry, the microbiology of geotextiles, geographical information systems (GIS), constructed wetlands and urban hydrology.

The group also organises conferences, hosts workshops and runs short courses through SUDSnet.

For more information visit the Sustainable Drainage website

Sustainable Regeneration

SURGE focus on bringing the social and economic aspects of regeneration together.  The research conducted by the group constantly strives to find linkages and relationships between the economic and social elements of regeneration; bridging gaps in knowledge to help business and society to achieve a more equal, just and sustainable society for the future. 

For more information visit the SURGE website

Agroecology and Food Security

The aim of the Centre for Agroecology and Food Security (CAFS)  is to conduct critical, rigorous and relevant research which will contribute to the development of agricultural and food production practices, which are economically sound, socially just and promote long-term protection of natural resources.

For more information visit the Centre for Agroecology and Food Security website.

Disaster Management

The Centre for Disaster Management (CDM) brings together leading practitioners and specialist academics to support the development of professionals in the Disaster, Risk and Emergency Management field. CDM design, deliver, and accredit major training programmes, and undertake specialist consultancy assignments, linked to the latest developments and challenges facing the sector.

For more information visit the Centre for Disaster Management website

African Studies

The African Studies Centre is a trans-disciplinary centre which supports teaching on Africa at Coventry University. The Centre also acts as a platform for interdisciplinary research, bringing the University's Africanists together, and has established a reputation amongst African scholars as one of the most effective and productive African policy related research centres in the UK.

For more information visit the African Studies Centre website