Download CHR's Strategy Statement 2011-15 in brochure format
CHR’s strategy statement sets out how it will develop Insights, Debates, Evidence and Analyses, its IDEAS, as it moves into its third decade. The Big Idea for CHR involves funding a more diverse set of research activities that both produce high quality published outcomes and, through effective knowledge exchange strategies, provide ideas and evidence for better housing and place policies in Scotland, the UK, the EU a
nd the wider set of countries in which we work.
We will be guided by five work streams of policy related research:
1. Housing market analysis at local and national scales will combine the university’s work in demography, sustainability and economics including analysing local housing and planning systems as well as infrastructure programs and their effects on city performance.
2. Changing organization of social housing will address the current pressures on social housing agencies to rethink their organisational and business models. CHR will support discussions on organisational structures, housing tenure boundaries, changing tenant needs and the community interface.
3. Neighbourhood dynamics and effects: With the housing market at its centre, this work will seek to better understand housing market dynamics, deprivation, mobility, segregation and how alone or together they influence places. It will continue its investigation into neighbourhoods filling gaps in the current literature including selective mobility into and out of neighbourhoods.
4. Housing and environmental sustainability will be a dedicated research theme area but an environmental lens will be used in all the Centre’s work from research on neighbourhood inclusion to economic competitiveness. Social housing providers have been active in reducing greenhouse gases and CHR will support these activities with research and discussion on how best to achieve a greener world by considering where and how we develop and manage our homes.
5. Data systems, analysis and reportingwill continue as a key role at the Centre and CHR will make more use of this data in its research as evidence for creating more responsive housing policies.
An integrating approach
CHR will link social, economic, demographic and geographic perspectives on housing and neighbourhood systems. It will act as a ‘hub’ for housing and place related studies across the university and address important core questions such as
- Where and how shall we live?
- How will housing wealth patterns change and who will be the winners and losers?
- How can we improve and utilize our understanding of neighbourhood dynamics to support more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable places?
Continuing academic connections and exchanges: CHR will realign its internalresources and make a series of significant new connections. Within the university, we will connect with demographers and health specialists, sustainable development researchers, economists, psychologists and the School of Management. We will develop a series of seminars targeted to our joint interests.
Wider connections: CHR will expand and mobilise its international connections. Collaborative research agreements will be sought with other universities and housing organisations in the UK and internationally. CHR will bring international experts to
St Andrews so that students and researchers can benefit from their knowledge and establish contacts for future collaborations.
Connection Modes: CHR will re-launch its website with enhanced capacities as a way of sharing its publications and events and to invite others to join our dialogue on current policy issues. Webinars and blogs will provide less costly and effective ways of exchanging ideas and building expertise in challenging areas.
Policy connections and knowledge exchange: CHR will increase its presence in the policy realm by sponsoring events and meetings, by participating in presentations, meetings and debates and by providing a space to bring different viewpoints to discussions and blogs. Its focus on the exchange and mobilisation of knowledge will be increased to grow its impact on policy and practice around housing and place.
An Advisory Board of housing and place experts will be appointed to examine and enhance CHR’s relevance and effectiveness and provide advice and expertise on pressing policy issues.
CHR will hold an ongoing series of colloquia and seminars. The most active year in CHR’s history is well underway with conferences, symposia and seminars. Participants including local, national and international practitioners, academics and policy makers have provided advice and insights into CHR’s research priorities.
And finally CHR has the resources to make it happen. In order to achieve this ambitious work plan, CHR has added a Knowledge Exchange Specialist, 2 research fellows, 2 lecturers and 3 PhD students; together with our talented existing staff, our team now totals 27. A collaborative approach has been instituted and supported in order to maximize everyone’s contribution to CHR’s shared vision.
Link to full CHR Strategy document