The University of Glasgow's Department of Urban Studies, Oxfam's UK Poverty Project and WestGAP (West Glasgow Against Poverty), have been awarded a research grant from the Economic and Social Research Council to study the experiences of people living in poverty in Partick and to look at the effects of increasing 'gentrification' of the area.

This research project promises to be the first of its kind in Scotland, looking, as it does, at how poverty exists side-by-side with wealth and affluence, and how that affects individuals and the community. It is also innovative in the way that a small Community Organisation, a large charity and a University Department plan to work together as equal partners on a long-term research project.

In particular, the Project will look at how the new Harbour Development will impact on people in the area, especially those on low income, and will investigate what effect the increasing amount of new build, high-cost, 'for sale' homes have on Partick and its people.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For further details please contact:

Oxfam:

Malcolm Fleming, Media Manager, on 0771 891 8346 / 0141 285 8855.

Adrian Girling, UK Poverty Programme, on 0141 285 8884

WestGAP:

Kait, Deborah or Paul on 0141 342-4343 between 10a.m. and 4 p.m.

University of Glasgow:

Press Office on 0141 330 3535 / 3683/ 8593

First published: 10 June 2004