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GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is a vibrant, innovative and multi-award-winning University for the Common Good.
Our research
A leading modern University in research, GCU was the first to adopt the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the framework for its research strategy.
Issued by UN in 2015, applying to all countries and in place until 2030, the SDGs are an ideal statement of the research aspirations for a University with a commitment to the Common Good. These aspirations are realised through our applied research, which addresses three major societal challenges of inclusive societies, healthy lives and sustainable environments.

Our dedication to the SDGs has seen us named number one in the UK for promoting gender equality – and in the top five in the world – in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings.
We are proud to be in the top quartile globally for seven SDGs, including good health and wellbeing, reducing inequalities and sustainable cities and communities.
We were the first Scottish university to be accredited by the Living Wage Foundation and are proud to have been awarded the EcoCampus Platinum accreditation in light of our commitment to a sustainable campus. In 2021 we were awarded an Athena SWAN Institutional Silver Award in recognition of our commitment to promoting gender equality among students and staff.
Find out more at Research at GCU and Research at GCU London

Why choose GCU for your research studies?
We aim to contribute to society in a manner that embraces yet goes beyond the traditional role of a university. GCU’s For the Common Good commitment is brought to life through our strategy and by the actions of our staff, students and alumni around the world.
Choose Glasgow Caledonian University and be part of world-class research, which focuses on excellence and quality. You’ll have access to our innovative Research Centres. With well established, international reputations, their pioneering work is influencing and informing policy decisions and technological advancements. You’ll be supported by a community of academic staff and over 500 research students from more than 50 countries. At GCU, ideas, expertise and experiences can be shared, challenged and developed.
Glasgow is a fantastic, affordable city that is home to more than 130,000 students. Friendly Glasgow boasts world-class museums, cafés, concert venues, sports facilities, theatres, architecture and has more green space per square mile than any other UK city.
With a modern campus in the vibrant heart of Glasgow, our research students are guaranteed a unique and fulfilling experience.
How to apply
- Check out our current PhD Opportunities at GCU Glasgow and GCU London
- Contact the research supervisor or relevant department to discuss the project
- Apply online
Academic Units
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof David Edgar)Business and Management Skills for the Space Economy
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof David Edgar)Commercialisation of Space Resources and In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU)
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof David Edgar)Space Infrastructure Financing and Public-Private Partnerships
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof David Edgar)Space Tourism Market Analysis and Business Models
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof David Edgar)Supply Chain Management in Space Exploration
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof David Edgar)The Impact of Space Technologies on Terrestrial Industries
Research Profiles:
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sheng Chen)A novel membrane-free flow battery for renewable energy storage: Prototype Design by Simulation
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr I Wong)Adaptive design of the UK dwellings to reduce summertime overheating
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr S B Mickovski)Application of BIM in Geotechnical Engineering
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sajid Nazir)Blockchain based Edge Computing for Healthcare Asset Management
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr A Ollauri)Carbon leakage in forest ecosystems – towards understanding the real contribution of forests to mitigate climate change
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr I Beklan Kucukdemiral)Data-Driven robust and optimal smart grid control
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Amit Kumar Jain)Design and Development of Prescriptive Maintenance Framework for Digital Manufacturing
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Amit Kumar Jain)Design and Development of Trustworthy Digital Maintenance Framework
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr O Niculita)Design of Digital Twins for In-Service Support and Maintenance
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Juan Manuel Parrilla Gutierrez)Designing the next generation of 3D-printers using Robotics, Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr S B Mickovski)Eco-technological design for stability and resilience of transport infrastructure
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr R Roberto Ramirez-Iniguez)Energy Harvesting for Optical Wireless Communication Systems in Indoor Environments
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Sajid Nazir)Explainable AI: Improving Understanding of Automated Medical Image Classification
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr S B Mickovski)Green infrastructure for adaptation to and resilience against natural hazards such as flooding, erosion, landslides and fires
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Arshad Arshad)Impact of High Frequency Transients on HVDC Cables
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Arshad Arshad)Investigating the Dielectric and Electrical Properties of Superhydrophobic High Voltage Outdoor Insulators
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr C Harrison)Materials and manufacturing for advanced indoor people tracking
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr S B Mickovski)Nature-based solutions for coastal protection and hazard mitigation
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr A Nekahi)Online Ageing Detection in Transformer Oil Insulator Insulator
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Don McGlinchey)Physics Informed Machine Learning for Gas Solids Multi-Phase Flow Characterisation
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Firdous Ul Nazir)Potentials of Electric Vehicles and Heat Pumps for the Voltage Control Strategy of the Modern Distribution Networks
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr C Thomson)Procuring and delivering large publicly funded construction projects for the Common Good
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Muhammad Usman)Recognising Sign Language using Radio Frequency Sensing
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr A Ollauri)Regulation of water and nutrient cycles with Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in a changing environment
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr D Liarokapis)Smart 5G and IoT Cooperative Communication System for Autonomous Vehicles in Intelligent Transport Systems
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr S B Mickovski)Sustainable use of vegetation for slope stabilisation and protection against landslides and erosion
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr M Kulatunga)The Investigation of Cold-Formed Thin-Walled Structural Members with Perforations Subjected to Different Loading Conditions
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr C Harrison)Use of Advanced Robotics to augment Railway Maintenance and Operations
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Godwin Enemali)Use of Deep Learning for Image-Based Fruit Trees Disease Detection on Edge Devices.
Project List:
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr Val Ness)Antimicrobial Stewardship and the role of the nurse within the hospital setting: The need to speak up. (Ref: SHLS22103)
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof A Graham)Exploiting the microRNA ‘signature’ of high density lipoproteins in cells and tissues: routes to novel therapeutics (Ref: SHLS21096)
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(PhD Supervisor: Prof Jacqui Reilly)Patient and visitor perspectives on measures to reduce Respiratory Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)- the pandemic legacy (Ref: SHLS22104)
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(PhD Supervisor: Dr David Hamilton)Understanding joint instability in the lower limb using diagnostic ultrasound and biomechanical evaluations (Ref:SHLS22115)