Research

About our research

We are part of a world-class institution that engages with international and national governments and institutions while also being rooted in the City of Edinburgh, with close partnerships across the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region.

Shaped by these local and global perspectives, we value the role of research, knowledge exchange and impact in contributing to equitable, sustainable and socially responsible developments in education, sport, physical activity and wellbeing. 

We aim to develop and sustain research excellence, make major contributions to practice, set agendas, engage in futures thinking while responding to the needs of our diverse stakeholders. Alongside our colleagues across the University of Edinburgh, and guided by our Research and Innovation Strategy 2030, we aim to make a significant difference to the future of health and care, tackle the climate and environmental crisis, and harnessing data, digital and AI for public good. 

Shaping the future of health and care 

'Are We Working (Too) Comfortably?' led by the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC) is understanding how working at home increases sedentary behaviour, and how to best support employees to move more for their health and well-being. 

Tackling the climate and environmental crisis 

‘Towards an ecological pluriversity: Decolonising environmental curriculum through dialogue across difference’ is exploring the educational potential of dialogue with holders of Traditional (Indigenous) Ecological Knowledge (TEK), in order to decolonise Higher Education curricula, and address the accelerating ecological crisis. 

Harnessing data, digital and AI for public good 

‘Towards embedding responsible AI in the school system: co-creation with young people’, led by the Centre for Research in Digital Education, is bridging the divide between principles of explainability, fairness and privacy (as they apply to educational AI), and the values, hopes and concerns of young people when faced with emerging technologies. 

  

Related links

Towards embedding responsible AI in the school system: co-creation with young people

Research and Innovation Strategy 2030 

Physical Activity for Health Research Centre 

Centre for Research in Digital Education