The University of Glasgow

A world-class home for the School of Health and Wellbeing.

The School of Health & Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow has always sought to address the greatest challenges facing society in the UK and around the world, and the Clarice Pears Building will help us tackle disease, improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities globally.
Professor Jill Pell, Henry Mechan Chair / Professor of Public Health, University of Glasgow
The mission of the University of Glasgow’s School of Health and Wellbeing closely mirrors that of the Pears Foundation, to tackle key issues relating to the wellbeing of people and communities around the world. We are so proud that this vital work will now take place in a building that bears our mother’s name.
Sir Trevor Pears CMG, Executive Chair, Pears Foundation

Partner since: 2015

Funding invested: £5.14million

  • Capital: The Clarice Pears Building
  • Project: The Olive Tree Initiative

From medical schools in Kent and Cumbria to clinical and research facilities at the Maudsley and the Royal Free hospitals, the Pears Foundation supports work that improves health and wellbeing and reduces health inequalities.  One way in which we do this is to support the creation of world-class facilities that enable researchers and practitioners from different disciplines to come together and collaborate.

The Clarice Pears building is home to the University of Glasgow’s School of Health and Wellbeing, co-locating academics previously dispersed across ten sites. Since opening in 2023, the building has become a powerhouse of healthcare research – led by experts in public health, primary care, health economics, mental health, social sciences, clinical trials and health data science – all focused on improving wellbeing and reducing inequalities.

From assessing the impact of smoke-free legislation to supporting General Practitioners working in deprived communities, the School’s research has had a major impact on public health policy, locally, nationally and internationally. Ground-breaking studies looking at key areas of wellbeing and health inequalities (e.g. the impact of loneliness; avoidable hospitalisations of care-experienced young people) have influenced government and informed approaches in the field.

Collaboration is a key theme for the School and the building is designed to facilitate cross-sector work between researchers, local and national public sector bodies, the NHS and the private sector.

As important as the School’s academic research is its civic engagement with the local community. The Clarice Pears building has become a vibrant hub for community engagement, the focal point of which is the Byres Community Hub on the publicly accessible ground floor of the building.

The Hub is a unique space for connection and collaboration, offering free meeting rooms, accessible facilities, knowledge and skill sharing opportunities, and an exhibitions and events programme from small scale Hub Monday networking drop-ins to large community days as part of Glasgow’s cultural festivals like Doors Open Day and Glasgow Science Festival.

The Hub also supports community organisations to undertake their own research and bring research questions and community perspectives into the University. This ensures that its teaching and research remain relevant and translatable, increasing the likelihood of significant real-world impact.

The physical building and decor has been designed to align with the School’s values and promote wellbeing, with soft wooden finishes and an abundance of plant-life, including a leafy living wall.