GSA Rural Lab is a new, interdisciplinary research centre. It is a key strategic asset in The Glasgow School of Art’s world-class research culture and dynamic knowledge ecology.

Rural Lab’s work sits at the intersection of research, innovation, education and enterprise, connecting across these core workstreams in support of ‘extreme collaboration’ and knowledge exchange.

Rural Lab builds on the GSA’s extensive experience of place-driven research and impact in rural contexts and its 20-year presence in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.

Rural Lab’s responsive research portfolio is connected regionally, nationally and internationally, developing and delivering experimental, ambitious and impactful research programmes across its top-line themes of Place, Space and Time.

Current work includes:

Lo-Res: Rochuln
Transforming a former croft steading into a field station for sustainable living and ecological research, blending agriculture, biodiversity development, and innovative architectural design.

Crafting Innovation
An ambitious research-led initiative shaping the future of Scotland’s Craft sector and creative economy, supporting innovation, scalability and sustainability.

Holistic Femtech – MEG (Menopause Experience Guide)
A ground-breaking AI-powered digital health tool to support women through menopause, developed by GSA Rural Lab spin-out company Ethnologic.

Nexa
A novel interpolar systems innovation. GSA Rural Lab is developing the Nexa prototype and live testing its application, evaluative capacity and commercial potential.