Geography
DISCOVER CUTTING EDGE GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH
Geography at Queen’s, established in 1928, has significantly influenced research in both physical and human geography.
In human geography, we have led discussions on space, place, and global geographies of knowledge, politics, and power, contributing to the understanding of war's cultural legacies, climate reductionism, and the changing geographies of ethnic diversity, inequalities, and migration.
In physical geography, our research spans climate and environmental change, climate adaptation and mitigation, peatland dynamics, and soil erosion. Our geoforensics work is widely applied in crime scene investigations. In Geographical Information Science (GISci), interdisciplinary research using big data addresses health and environmental issues and develops tools for tracking migration. Our commitment to interdisciplinary research and collaboration with non-academic partners positions Queen's geographical research at the forefront of contemporary social, cultural, and environmental debates.
OUR RESEARCH
Enhancing Government Data with Collective Intelligence: The Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study
Experts from Queen’s explore how collective intelligence (CI) methods can enhance government data infrastructures, focusing on the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS). By engaging stakeholders, the study transformed the NILS Research Support Unit (RSU) to better support researchers, improve collaborative decision-making, and enhance dissemination of research outputs. Key changes include a redesigned website and stronger partnerships between data users and providers. Despite challenges, the CI approach has been crucial in maximizing the potential of NILS data, fostering multidisciplinary networks, and attracting new researchers.
Cartography and the city: Exploring urban ontologies through historic town-maps
Experts from Queen’s examine the use of large-scale historic town-maps (1:2,500) for studying urban landscapes. This study uses two map examples to (1) apply the UrbanOnto ontology and (2) explore new ontologies for urban analysis. The study demonstrates workflows for maps with and without legends, matching map symbols to UrbanOnto types to recreate or adjust legends. It compares two approaches to using the ontology with old town-maps, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.
KEY RESEARCH PROJECTS
Changing Socio-Spatial Inequalities: Population change and the lived experience of inequality in urban South Africa
This project provides an innovative analysis of how people's lived experiences of socio-economic inequality are shaped by the complex dynamics of urban change in South Africa and how such experiences in turn shape the country's urban social fabric.
Mapping Lineages: Quantifying the Evolution of Maps of the British Isles
"Mapping Lineages," investigates the historical evolution of British maps from 1000 to 1700, contributing to academic debates on the relationship between maps and map-makers. The project uses systematic quantitative analysis to explore the positioning and representation of objects on early maps. By applying mixed-method approaches, including statistical regression, GIS, and archival research, the study aims to understand changes in British cartography over seven centuries. Digitising and vectorising map features like place names, coastlines, and rivers allows for detailed analysis and comparison of early maps.
Geographies of Ethnic Diversity and Inequalities (GEDI) – Ongoing Project
This project investigates and explains the evolving ethnic geographies of the UK by integrating research on ethnic diversity, residential segregation, socio-spatial inequalities, and migration. The GEDI programme, using the latest Census data, offers a timely and innovative analysis of the UK's neighbourhood ethnic landscape and its changes from 1991 to 2021/22.
RECENT NEWS
Research reveals that Northern Ireland is feeling strain of climate change
A recent study by Queen's University Belfast reveals that Northern Ireland is experiencing significant impacts from climate change. The research highlights increased flooding, coastal erosion, and changes in agricultural productivity. These findings underscore the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies to mitigate these effects and protect the region's environment and economy.
