Research and innovation that helps your business grow
Explore our Innovation Priority Areas and find the expertise that fits your challenge.
Research and innovation that helps your business grow
Explore our Innovation Priority Areas and find the expertise that fits your challenge.
At a glance
Who it's for
Businesses looking for specialist expertise, research partners, innovation opportunities or technical knowledge in a particular field.
Cost
Free to explore. Costs depend on how you choose to work with us.
Timescales
Not applicable. This page helps you identify potential opportunities and expertise.
Best suited to
Organisations wanting to understand where our expertise aligns with their business challenges and growth ambitions.
What's involved
Our research and innovation activity is organised around six Innovation Priority Areas. These are areas where we have significant expertise, strong industry engagement and a track record of turning research into real-world impact.
Innovation Priority Areas:
- Life Sciences & Engineering Biology. Our researchers work on areas including enzyme innovation, biological systems and translational research that can help organisations bring new ideas to market.
- Applied Mathematics for Clean Energy, Batteries & Logistics. Using modelling and artificial intelligence to improve the performance of battery technologies, energy systems, and logistics.
- Water & the Environment. Cleaner water, wastewater management, environmental monitoring and sustainable resource management, including DNA analysis.
- Defence & National Security. Our researchers are experts in security, policing, cyber resilience, defence technologies and operational decision-making.
- Creative & Immersive Technologies. Explore the potential of virtual reality, augmented reality, immersive experiences and digital innovation. We help organisations apply emerging technologies in areas ranging from training and healthcare to creative content and customer engagement.
- Human Performance & Ergonomics. Improve safety, wellbeing and performance in demanding environments. Our work supports organisations seeking evidence-based approaches to human factors, occupational performance and workplace safety.
How it works
If you want solve a complex problem
Collaborative R&D and contract research.
If you want to Embed expertise inside your business
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).
If you need fast answers from our experts
Consultancy Projects.
If you want access to existing university IP
Commercialisation, IP and licensing support.
Before you enquire
FAQs
These Innovation Priority Areas are intended as a guide rather than a complete list of our expertise.
Many business challenges span multiple disciplines, and some of the most successful projects combine expertise from different fields. If you're unsure where your organisation fits, get in touch and we'll help identify the most appropriate academic team or innovation route.
Don't see your sector or challenge listed?
This is not a complete list. Tell us what you're trying to achieve. We'll connect you with the people, facilities and expertise most relevant to your business.
Where next?
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Considering a Knowledge Transfer Partnership? A KTP combines academic expertise, structure, and government funding to turn ideas into real commercial results. Find out more.
Commercialisation, IP and licensing
Intellectual property, licensing and commercialisation, explained plainly.
