The results of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirm the School´s position as a world class centre for architectural research. 35% of our staff were rated as 4* (world leading), which is the highest percentage score achieved by any School of Architecture. 70% of our research was graded in the 4* or 3* (internationally excellent) categories. These results, together with our excellent ratings (Grade 5) in the two previous RAEs, make Sheffield the only School in the UK to have achieved and maintained this level of research performance.

All full-time staff are active researchers and we have approximately 50 postgraduate research students. Our research activities include scholarly and theoretical studies, creative design and the dissemination of research into practice.

The School consistently attracts external funding for its research and is involved internationally with a range of research projects.We do not see research as an isolated academic activity, but aim to shape the national research agenda and policy on the environment and to pro-actively address public and professional needs.

Research is carried out in four research clusters: Architectural History and Theory; Community, Participation and Wellbeing; Architectural Sciences; Computation, Digital Design and Innovation. Each cluster brings together academic staff, researchers and postgraduate research students within common areas of interest.