KISS is the UK’s only research Centre dedicated to a holistic study of spatial patterns and phenomena through an interdisciplinary and integrative approach that brings together the Arts, Anthropology, Ecology, English, Geography, Law, Sociology, Architecture, Engineering, Economics, Classics and Archaeology.
The vision of KISS is to become a UK research leader in interdisciplinary Spatial Studies in the Social Sciences and Humanities. The aims of KISS are to a) provide new pathways and services to the research community of University of Kent by enhancing the spatial focus of research and teaching; b) contribute to the development of cross-disciplinary skills and resources; and c) promote impact, innovation and enterprise by boosting collaborations with the local and regional business and public
sectors, as well as international institutions.
Although KISS has only recently entered its third year of existence, it has met its original aims including the organisation of multiple research events, the production of numerous REF-quality publications, the award of research funding (incl. recently a Horizon 2020 grant), the provision of diverse training activities and the establishment of links to Enterprise, through collaboration with the business sector.
Key Contacts: Dr. Joseph Tzanopoulos and Dr. Thanos Zartaloudis
Central Aims:
Research:
- To consolidate high-quality, innovative and interdisciplinary world-leading individual and collaborative research in spatial studies conceived widely and critically.
- To expand the present range of interdisciplinary collaborative research at Kent by encouraging sharing of expertise around spatial analysis and spatial studies across disciplines.
- To support research funding applications and projects providing strong interdisciplinary expertise in spatial studies at the University of Kent.
Teaching:
- To provide in-house training on theories and methods for spatial research.
- To launch and support new interdisciplinary PhD programme(s) and new ‘wild’ modules on spatial studies.
- To enhance employability skills of UG and PG students.
Outreach:
- To support contract research bids to governmental and other agencies.
- To strengthen the University’s links with local/regional institutions.
- To facilitate impact-oriented outreach activities.