The School of Architecture is a major international centre for research offering an active and welcoming environment for students, visiting scholars and researchers. Currently it has over 40 research active staff and 40 doctoral students. It has an excellent reputation for the quality of its research (2008 RAE).

The School is known for its work across a range of fields, including vernacular architecture, sustainable urban form, health and the built environment and sustainable architecture and technology. The School undertakes research funded by the EU, UK government (e.g. ODPM, DTI), the UK research councils (e.g. EPSRC, ESRC), local authorities, Regional Development Agencies and industry. It also has official research links with over 120 universities around the world which provide opportunities for collaborative research.

The School is home to a number of research groups which together comprise a substantial part of the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD). OISD was jointly set up by the School of Architecture and the Department of Planning to promote sustainable development at all scales of the built environment, to provide new information through research consultancy and training, and to enable new sustainability ideas to become reality. The OISD research groupings based in the School of Architecture are as follows:

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  OISD:LCB

  Low Carbon Building Group

  The Low Carbon Building Group (OISD:LCB) has an international profile in the study of energy and buildings. Its publications on energy efficient buildings and sustainability are recognised international references. The Unit has expertise in thermal comfort, solar energy, energy auditing and the design of low energy buildings in diverse climates. (Director: Prof Rajat Gupta)

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  OISD:T

  Technology Group

  The Technology Group (OISD:T) is an interdisciplinary research group working in the fields of construction technology, structures, building physics and sustainability. The group is involved in both pure and ‘close to industry’ research. It has a broad technical skills base covering architectural, structural and mechanical engineering and costing. (Director: Prof Ray Ogden)

Architectural Humanities



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  OISD:IVAU

  International Vernacular Architecture Unit

  The International Vernacular Architecture Unit (OISD:IVAU) aims to advance recognition and understanding of the meaning and importance of vernacular architecture traditions worldwide. It hosts a unique library on the subject and provides a base for interdisciplinary, cross-cultural and comparative research. It undertakes research which extends the geographic, thematic and methodological scope of the field. (Director: Dr Marcel Vellinga)

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  CENDEP

  Centre for Development and Emergency Practice

  The Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) has an international reputation for pioneering education and training for humanitarian aid workers. Combining innovative practice-based study with a multi-disciplinary academic approach, it educates humanitarian practitioners for work in the context of war, political violence and disaster (Director: Prof David Sanderson).

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  DOSSier

  Discourses on Space and Society Research Group

  The Discourses on Space and Society Research Group (DOSSier) is an inter-disciplinary research group which aims to provide a platform for academics and researchers from humanities disciplines within the university to research space and society from critical, historical, theoretical, cultural, visual and political perspectives (Acting Director: Dr Marcel Vellinga).

In addition to these groups, staff in the School are involved in research in the fields of architectural education, digital media and animation, architectural psychology, design theory, colour in the built environment, object technology and urban design.