This research is focusing on the processes that make landscapes and rural communities sustainable and adaptable, and influence their future development. The context is set by international and national policies and/or sustainable development.

Specific research issues are:

• How different stakeholders make decisions and take actions that affect rural areas
• How and what institutions and social networks (formal and informal) evolve and how they adapt to address particular environmental priorities and problems
• How stakeholders perceive and value current and future landscapes, and the communication of changes.

Other work is focusing on developing ways of integrating the social, economic and biophysical components of the systems under study, referred to as socio-ecological systems.

Each area is using a range of approaches, involving desk studies, surveys and modelling, and involve the development of good-practice participatory approaches. The research is being undertaken in close consultation with end-users such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority.

The development of specific tools and protocols for enabling stakeholder and public engagement is also being undertaken in collaboration with organisations such as Planning Aid for Scotland, local authorities (e.g. Aberdeenshire Council) and community groups (e.g. local access fora).

An integral part of this research is a commitment to communications with key audiences through research outputs and exchanges in information and knowledge.