Dr David Grierson
Reader
Architecture
Personal statement
Personal statement
I am Reader in Architecture and have been Deputy Head of the department since 2011. As the department's lead on international activity since 2014 I have worked with colleagues to establish collaborative agreement with institutions in East Asia (China and Inner Mongolia), South Asia (India and Hong Kong), Southeast Asia (Malaysia), the Middle East (Qatar and Kuwait), the USA (Arizona), and led the Faculty's first overseas engagement visit to the Middle East (to UAE, Qatar). I am pleased to say that the number of students from overseas now studying Architecture annually at Strathclyde has doubled in the past 5 years, and I believe our international academic profile has never been higher. In directing the ground breaking Faculty-wide postgraduate programme in Sustainable Engineering over the past fifteen years it has been a privilege for me to see well over a thousand students from our integrated engineering and architecture courses successfully graduate and advance their careers in industry and practice. On a more personal note I was honoured to be appointed as the first ever visiting professor at Arcosanti in Arizona, USA in 2013, subsequently launching a new MSc in Architecture and Ecology there, and then joining the Steering Committee of the Cosanti Foundation to guide the strategic development of Arcosanti in the years ahead. I currently lead the CRiDS research cluster at Strathclyde towards resilient and sustainable responses to social, environmental, and economic challenges associated with buildings and cities, in both developed and developing countries. My own research contributions, that aim to support design decision-making for a more balanced relationship between the built & natural environments and develop innovative teaching methods for sustainable development, have led to the supervision of around 40 postgraduate researchers over the past ten years and over 80 peer-reviewed publications in these areas.
Selected Publications:
- Softer Footprints: the role of planning in meeting the net-zero targets - delivering sustainable design. Scotland Policy Conference: Next steps for planning reform in Scotland - the National Planning Framework, net-zero targets, and adapting regulations in the wake of the pandemic. Grierson. D., 12 Jan 2021.
- Approaching urban design through the analysis of structural differences within three neighborhood typologies in Basra City Grierson. D. & Al-Saraify, Q.Z.K. , 16 Dec 2020, Sustainability in Urban Planning and Design. Almusaed, A. & Truong-Hong, L. (eds.). 1 ed. London, UK: INTECHopen, Vol.1.22p.
- An Application of Measuring Visual and Non-Visual Sensorial Experiences of Nature for Children within Primary Schools Spaces: Child-Nature-Distance Studies in Glasgow, Scotland Phuong, T. T. & Grierson, D. 31 Oct 2019 In: ArchNet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, DOI: 10.1108/ARCH-052019-019
- Urban Performance Between the Imagined, the Measured, and the Experienced Salama, A.M. & Grierson, D., 1 Apr 2019 In: Open House International. Editorial 44, 1, 4-7
- Walking to Occupational Activities within Three Neighbourhoods in Basra City Grierson, D. & Al-Saraify, Q.Z. K., 1 Apr 2019 In : Open House International. 44, 1, 26 p.
- Nature, People, and Place: informing the design of urban environments in harmony with Nature through the Space/Nature Syntax Grierson, D. & Munro, K. 1 Jan 2018 In : Lifelong Learning and Education in Healthy and Sustainable Cities. Azeiteiro, UM., Akerman, M., Leal Filho, W., Setti, AFF. & Brandli, LL. (eds.). 1 ed. Cham: Springer International Publishing AG, Vol. 16, p. 105-125 21 p. (World Sustainability Series; vol. 16, no. 1)
- Transformative Learning Methods in Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Grierson, D. & Munro, K. 31 March 2018 In : ArchNet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research. p. 1 - 21 21 p. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26687/archnet-ijar.v12i1.1430
- Sustainable Development of the Built Environment: response to contradiction through the circular economy and designing out waste in the construction industry Grierson, D., 3 Mar 2017 Kenote Address Launching Zero Waste Scotland's guide for Architects and Designers - Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
- Forging Advances in Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism, Editorial, (Editors) Grierson, D. & Salama, A. M. 1 Dec 2016 In : Open House International. 41, 4, p. 4 - 6 2 p.
- Journal Special Issue: Forging Advances in Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism, (Editors), Grierson, D. & Salama, A. M. 1 Dec 2016 In : Open House International. 41, 4, p. 1 - 110 110 p.
- Unfinished Business at the Urban Laboratory: Paolo Soleri, Arcology, and Arcosanti, Grierson, D. 1 Dec 2016 In : Open House International. 41, 4, p. 63-72 10 p
- Towards the Development of a Space/Nature syntax at Arcosanti, Munro, K. & Grierson, D. 1 Dec 2016 In : Open House International. 41, 4, p. 48-55 13 p.
- Linking Space and Nature Syntaxes: the Influence of a Natural View through Observed Behaviour at Arcosanti, Arizona, USA, Munro, K. & Grierson, D. 11 Nov 2016 Handbook of Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development in Higher Education. Leal Filho, W., Brandli, L., Castro, P. & Newman, J. (eds.). Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG, Vol. 1, p. 137-158 22 p. (World Sustainability Series)
- A Contextual Framework for the Development of a Building Sustainability Assessment Method for Iran, Malek, S. & Grierson, D. 15 Jul 2016 In : Open House International. 41, 2, p. 64-75 12 p.
- An Expedition into Architecture and Urbanism of the Global South, Salama, A. M. & Grierson, D. 15 Jul 2016 In : Open House International. 41, 2, p. 4-5 2 p.
- Transformations in Architecture and Urbanism of Cities in the Global South, Salama, A. M. (ed.) & Grierson, D. (ed.) 15 Jul 2016 In : Open House International. 41, 2, p. 1-101 102 p.
- 10 out of 10 for Scottish school design? Providing an accessible, sustainable environment for 21st century education./ Hyland, Claire; Grierson, David; Sadler, Sue; Asgari, Zeynab. Architecture Anthology I: Education, Research, and Practice. ed. / Judith Urbano. Vol. 1 1. ed. Athens, Greece : ATINER, 2015. p. 27-40. Research output: Chapter in Book
- RE-thinking urban life?. Grierson, David. 11 December 2014 at 'Re-Thinking Residential Environments: Environment and Design Congress', Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey, Turkey. Research output: Keynote Contribution to Conference
- Technology and Ecology, Grierson, D. 2014. Transitions to Sustainability: Theoretical Debates for a Changing Planet. Humphreys, D. & Stober, S. (eds.). 1 ed. Champaign, Illinois, USA: Common Ground Publishing, Vol. 1, p. 105 118 p. Chapter 8 Research output: Chapter in Book
- The Environmental Performance of Low Carbon Dwellings Using Structural Insulated Concrete Blocks, Grierson, D., Bradley, C., Duff, A. & Macdonald, M. 28 Feb2013 In : CIC Start Online Innovation Review. 13 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
- Playing Games With Sustainability in Glasgow, Grierson, D. , Hyland, C. , Sadler, S. & Rogerson, R. 29-Jun-2012 In: Proceedings of the International Association People Environment Studies (IAPS) . International Association of People-Environment Studies Research output: Conference proceeding
- Designing Out the Urban Heat Island Effect, Grierson, D. & Munro, K. E. Sep-2012, In : CIC Start Online Innovation Review. Issue 12, September 2012, pp 42-50. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
- Learning lessons from the Scottish School Building Programme: providing an accessible, sustainable environment for 21st century education, Grierson, D. & Hyland, C. Contribution to 8th International Sustainability Conference, 10-12 January 2012, University of British Columbia, Canada› Paper
- Circular Economy Game and Walking Tour, Grierson, D. , Hyland, C. , Sadler, S. & Rogerson, R. 1-Jun-2012 Research output: Contribution to conference › Speech at International Association People Environment Studies (IAPS) .
- Learning for Change: cross-disciplinary postgraduate programmes in sustainability, Grierson, D. & Hyland, C. 7-Sep- 2011 In : International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability. 7, 3, p. 37-50. 14 p. Research output: Paper in International Journal
- Architectural Design Principles and Processes for Sustainability: towards a typology of sustainable building design, Grierson, D. & Moultrie, C. M. 17-Aug-2011 In : Design Principles and Practices. p. 623 - 634. 12 p. Research output: Paper in International Journal
- Towards Sustainable Building Design, Grierson, D. 2009, Design Principles and Practices: an international journal: Common Ground Publisher: 3, 3 (On Design). Research output: Chapter in Book
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Area of Expertise
Academic Engagement as:
- Grant Reviewer for Research Councils (Austrian Science Fund, ESRC UK, NSFC China, ANR France, DFT Germany, NWO Netherlands)
- Visiting Professor (USA and Qatar)
- PhD Examiner (in the UK)
- Postgraduate Course Examiner (University College London, Queens University Belfast, Sheffield Hallam University)
- Quality Assurance Scrutineer (the Bartlett, UCL)
- Senior Academic Staff Selector/Interviewer (USA, Spain, UK)
- Co-Editor of Routledge Book Series (Architecture and Urbansim in the Global South)
- Co-Editor of Journal Special Issues (International Journal of Architectural Research, Open House International)
- Member of Journal Editorial Boards (ArchNet - IJAR, OHI, European Journal of Engineering Education, Design Principles and Practices, Altralineas Ediziona, International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability)
- Conference organiser (UK) and participator (Canada, Italy, New Zealand, Germany, Turkey, India, Spain, USA, and UK)
- Workshop organiser (Guatemala, Italy, Belgium, USA and UK)
- Invited guest lecturer (India, Qatar, Italy, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Hong Kong and UK)
Industry Engagement with:
- The Scottish Executive (Building the Curriculum)
- The Government of Catalonia (Serra Hunter Programme)
- The Cosanti Foundation (Strategic Steering Committee)
- The Royal Academy of Engineering (Visiting Professor in Sustainability)
- Zero Waste Scotland (Designing Out Construction Waste)
- Scottish Enterprise (Design Consultant)
- Glasgow City Council (Urban Design Panel)
- East Ayrshire Council (Design Consultant)
- North Lanarkshire Council (Design Consultant)
- Scottish Housing Associations (Design Consultant)
Public Engagement and Outreach with:
- The British Council (India, Malaysia and Hong Kong)
- The English Schools Foundation (Hong Kong)
- The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (UK)
- Yew Chung Educational Foundation (Hong Kong)
- Singapore International School (Hong Kong)
- King George V School (Hong Kong)
- Victoria Shanghai Academy (Hong Kong)
- Renaissance College (Hong Kong)
Prize And Awards
- Inaugural Cosanti Foundation Alumni Award
- Recipient
- 18/3/2023
- Cosanti Foundation Alumni Award
- Recipient
- 18/3/2023
- Selected entry to the UK Universities' Climate Innovation Showcase, 'Building futures with Nature in mind'.'
- Recipient
- 1/11/2021
- Selected entry to the UK Universities' Climate Innovation Showcase, 'Construction sustainable futures'
- Recipient
- 1/11/2021
- Appointed External Examiner at INTO, Queens University Belfast
- Recipient
- 1/10/2015
- Appointed External Examiner at Sheffield Hallam University
- Recipient
- 1/10/2015
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Publications
- A study on children's spatial-social-natural interactions within primary school : design approaches for case studies in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- To Thanh Phuong, Grierson David
- 16th Asian Urbanization Conference (2024)
- "Patterns" of Threshold Spaces in the Historical City of Jeddah : Investigating the Relationship Between the Public Spaces and Residential Units
- Massoud Bama, Grierson David, Salama Ashraf M
- Architecture and Urbanism in the Global South Architecture and Urbanism in the Global South (2023)
- Architecture and Urbanism in a Contact Zone : Histories of Difference, Migrancy and Dwelling in Kolkata
- Mukherjee Campbell Mark, Grierson David, Salama Ashraf M
- Architecture and Urbanism in the Global South Architecture and Urbanism in the Global South (2023)
- A study on children's multi-sensorial experiences of nature : design approaches and preferences for primary school architecture, case studies in Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- To Phuong, Grierson David
- ArchNet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-02-2023-0053
- Children's experience of nature in primary school environments : contextual influences and child-nature-distance ranges case studies in Glasgow, Scotland and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Thanh Phuong To, Grierson David
- VIII International Scientific and Technical Conference (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0124787
- Uncertain Regional Urbanism in Venezuela : Government, Infrastructure and Environment
- Capra Ribeiro Fabio, Grierson David, Salama Ashraf M
- Architecture and Urbanism in the Global South Architecture and Urbanism in the Global South (2023)
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Teaching
International Teaching Profile:
David's academic activity spans over 30 years. In addition to the delivery of courses in the UK and mainland Europe (Italy, Belgium, Czech Republic) this includes invited teaching contributions on architecture and urban design in the United States, Guatemala, Qatar, Turkey, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and China. His teaching emphasizes research-based transformative learning methods, utilising digital technologies, within interdisciplinary education for sustainable development. His aim is to help accommodate the evolving concept of sustainability using a variety of pedagogical techniques that promote participatory learning and thinking skills. Some examples of international teaching contributions are:
- MSc in Architecture and Ecology. Arcosanti, Arizona, USA
- Ecology, Biophilia, and Cities of Tomorrow. Taylor's University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Ecology, Biophila, and Sustainable Architecture. Victoria Shanghai Academy, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Sustainability and Ecology. Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
- Didactical Activities using Contemporary Learning Methodologies and Materials: MSc Sustainable Engineering, Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy
- Re-Thinking Urban Life. Bahcesehir University and Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
- How Do We Begin Again? University of San Carlos, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Teaching Roles and Activities:
- Head of the Graduate School of Engineering (2012 - 2018)
- Programme Director of Faculty Postgraduate Programme in Sustainable Engineering (2004 - present). Over 1,000 postgraduate students from architecture and engineering have graduated from the programme since 2004
- Lead Academic on Succceeding for the Workplace: postgraduate skills training (2005 - 2008)
- Course Director MSc Architecture and Ecology (2015 - present)
- PG Sustainability module leader (2004 - present)
- Pg Arcology module leader (2015 - present)
- PG Group Project Supervision
- Masters Thesis Supervision
- UG Ecology, Sustainability and the Built Environment leader (2004 - present)
- UG Dissertation Supervision
Primary PhD Supervision topics have included:
- Participatory Design and its role in Sustainable Development
- Sustainable Design and the Impact of Small Scale Renewable Energy Interventions in Rural West Africa
- Sustainable Development Policies, the Problem of Housing Collapse in Iran
- Walking to Occupational Activities in Basra City: developing and testing an ecological model to support evidence-based feedback in neighbourhood planning
- The Development of a Sustainable Building Management System for Iran
- Towards Space-Nature-Syntax: the influence of spatial configuration and a view of Nature on social interaction, with Arcosanti, Arizona, USA, as case study
- Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
- Optimizing Regenerative Design for Sustainability
- The Sensibility of Material Culture and Structural Performance
- The Relationship between the Physical Environment and Human Behaviour
Contribution to Reports on Education for Sustainable Development:
- Getting it Together: Interdisciplinarity and Sustainability in the Higher Education Institution (PedRIO with University of Plymouth, Blake et al, 2013)
- Education for Sustainable Development in Engineering: report of a delphi consultation (University of Loughborough and the Higher Education Academy, 2008)
- The Engineering Education for Sustainable Development (EESD) Observatory 2008: status report (EESD, 2008)
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Research Interests
David's research interests and experience extend from his doctoral work in Ecology, Sustainability and the City completed in 2000. His early work on ecological approaches to environmental sustainability has led to research activity in Asia, Africa, North America and Europe involving architecture, urbanism, sustainable development of the built environment, education for sustainable development, design for sustainability, and more recently, biophilia and space nature syntax methods. Awards and funding secured and managed on projects related to these topics totals over £1M since 2005.
Funded Projects:
- The Nepal School Project (Feb 2018 - ). Principal Investigator with Strathclyde Engineering for Development.
- Designing Out Construction Waste: guidance and pilot support (Oct 2017 - Jan 2018) Zero Waste Scotland. Principal Investigator with Ricardo Energy and Environment.
- BC-SDBE: Building Capacity: Sustainable Development of the Built Environment: British Council Newton Institutional Links Project (Oct 2016 - Oct 2018) British Council. Co-I.
- KLABS: Creating Knowledge Labs for Sustainable and Resilient Environments (Oct 2015 - Oct 2018) European Commission Funding. Co-I.
- Sustainable Design and the Impact of Small Scale Renewable Energy Intervention in Rural West Africa (Oct 2014 – Sep 2018) EPSRC Doctoral Funding. Principal Investigator.
- Participatory Design and its Role in Sustainable Development: Rethinking Technologies for Healthcare and Water Infrastructure in the Developing World (Feb 2014 - Sep 2018) EPSRC Doctoral Funding. Principal Investigator.
- Analysing and Testing the Architectural & Ecological Model Developed at Arcosanti, Arizona, USA (Oct 2013 - Sep 2017) EPSRC, Cosanti Foundation, Doctoral Funding. Principal Investigator.
- Mainstreaming Innovation (Sep 2012 – Sep 2013) ERDF, SFC, and Scottish Government. Consortia Project with nine HEIs: Principal Investigator at Strathclyde.
- Online CPD for Design Professionals (Jun 2012 – Jun 2013) SFC Knowledge Exchange Development Fund. Principal Investigator.
- Evaluation of Intelligent Homes Prototype (Feb 2012 – Oct 2012) Scottish Enterprise. Principal Investigator.
- Benefit Analysis of Edge Fall Prevention System (Feb 2011 – Feb 2012) ERDF, Scottish Government. Principal Investigator with Roof Profiles Ltd.
- Promoting Inclusive Education through the Built Environment (Oct 2010 – Oct 2013) University of Strathclyde Doctoral Award. Principal Investigator.
- CIC Start Online (Sept 2009 - Sept 2012) ERDF, SFC, and Scottish Government. Consortia Project with seven HEIs: Principal Investigator at Strathclyde.
- Development of Online Modules in Entrepreneurship (Oct 2009 – Oct 2010) RCUK. Principal Investigator.
- Project Gateway to the Professions: Urban Design Skills (Oct 2008 - 2009) Royal Town Planning Institute. Co-I.
- Strathclyde Masters Programme in Sustainability (Jan 2009 – Jan 2010) EPSRC. Principal Investigator.
- Sustainable Engineering EPSRC Studentships (Oct 2008 – Oct 2009) EPSRC. Principal Investigator.
- Gartcosh Steel Mill Regeneration Project (Nov, 2007) Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire. Principal Investigator.
- Sustainable Engineering EPSRC Studentships (Oct 2007 – Oct 2008) EPSRC. Principal Investigator.
- Visiting Professor in Engineering for Sustainable Development (Oct 2007 - Sep 2009) Royal Academy of Engineering. Principal Investigator.
- Sustainable Engineering EPSRC Studentships (Oct 2006 – Oct 2007) EPSRC. Principal Investigator.
- Succeeding for the Workplace (Developing Generic Skills Workshops for Postgraduates) (Oct 2005) RCUK (Roberts). Principal Investigator.
- Sustainable Engineering EPSRC Studentships (Oct 2005 – Oct 2006) EPSRC. Principal Investigator.
- Online CPD for the Construction Industry (Sep 2005 – Sep 2006) SHEFC CPD Development Fund. Co-I.
- Sustainable Design: Community Heating, CHP, and SUDS at Kirkintilloch, Scotland (Jun 2005 – Jun 2006) Energy Savings Trust. Principal Investigator with Hillhead Housing Association.
- Rationalising Postgraduate Provision across the Faculty of Engineering (Oct 2004 – Oct 2005) EPSRC. Principal Investigator.
Professional Activities
- Nature-based Experiences in Urban Preschool Environment: A Systematic Contextual Mapping Study
- Contributor
- 15/11/2024
- Medical Research Foundation (External organisation)
- Advisor
- 15/4/2024
- Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (External organisation)
- Advisor
- 14/3/2024
- Zero Carbon and the Built Environment
- Speaker
- 4/3/2021
- Participation in Hong Kong English Schools Foundation University Fair 2020
- Recipient
- 20/1/2020
- Participation in Hong Kong British Council Study UK Fair 2020
- Recipient
- 18/1/2020
Projects
- SFC Alliances for Research Challenges (ARCS)
- Grierson, David (Co-investigator)
- Scottish Research Alliance for Energy, Homes and Livelihoods
- 01-Jan-2023 - 01-Jan-2027
- KA107 staff and PhD students mobility with the University of Belgrade, Serbia
- Dimitrijevic, Branka (Principal Investigator) Salama, Ashraf (Co-investigator) Grierson, David (Co-investigator)
- 3 academics and 2 PhD students involved in mobility activities
- 01-Jan-2018 - 31-Jan-2020
- Sustainable Development for Ecotourism.
- Grierson, David (Principal Investigator) Salama, Ashraf (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Jan-2018 - 01-Jan-2021
- Development of the Space/Nature Syntax Method
- Grierson, David (Principal Investigator) Munro, Karen (Researcher)
- 02-Jan-2017 - 01-Jan-2019
- Zero Waste Scotland Circular Economy Investment Fund Project
- Grierson, David (Principal Investigator) Dimitrijevic, Branka (Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2017 - 01-Jan-2019
- BC-SDBE:Building Capacity: Sustainable Development of the Built Environment: British Council Newton Institutional Links Project
- Salama, Ashraf (Principal Investigator) Grierson, David (Co-investigator) Pour Rahimian Leilabadi, Farzad (Co-investigator)
- 15-Jan-2016 - 30-Jan-2018