Socio-Economic Analysis and Research on Communities and Health

This research area covers a wide range of topics related to the socio-economic analysis of development issues in rural areas including health and wellbeing and environmental issues – ranging from local to international sustainability approaches.

The research and consultancy group seeks to bridge the analysis of practice with academic concepts and policy formulation.

There is some overlap with other research areas within the college and UHI as a whole, such as work relating to rural economics, rural health and wellbeing, and the application of the rural context to issues of renewable energy and to the digital society.

The group has many years research experience between them and collectively pursue an interdisciplinary approach, integrating environmental, social, economic, and health equity analysis aspects of sustainable development and health issues in the rural context.

We are also involved in climate and climate change research in East Africa, as well as the effects of weather and climate upon health and the environment in Scotland.

• Contact: Dr Rachel Erskine - Programme Leader MA Health & Wellbeing
• Professor Frank Rennie - UHI Professor of Sustainable Rural Development
• Dr Edward Graham - Lecturer in Sustainable Rural Development
• Dr Eilidh MacPhail - Lecturer in Sustainable Rural Development
• Dr Michael Smith - Programme Leader for the BSc in Geography
• Mrs Rebecca Smith - Lecturer in Sustainable Rural Development
• Dr Gareth Davies - Programme Leader for the Masters of Education and the PG Certificate in Research Methods
• Mr Roddy Murray - Programme Leader in the BSc Sustainable Rural Development