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Building a brighter future for all

We're exploring how new technologies can improve our ever-complex world

Led by Professor Adrian Hopgood, Professor of Intelligent Systems, our Future and Emerging Technologies research is helping make the world a better place.

Future & Emerging Technologies is one of five thematic areas that are written into the University of Portsmouth's Strategy 2025. The Themes support collaboration to extend knowledge and impact in interdisciplinary research, innovation and education.

Interdisciplinarity is the new normal. For example, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Challenge Fund addresses big societal challenges grouped around four core topics – artificial intelligence and data, ageing society, clean growth, and the future of mobility. The Future & Emerging Technologies Theme is contributing to all of them, and it has three priority areas:

  • Digital Technologies, including AI (aligned with the UK’s first National AI Strategy), extended reality (XR), and quantum technologies
  • Space, ranging from cosmology to satellite applications on Earth, aligned with the UK’s first National Space Strategy
  • Manufacture, materials, and energy, aligned with the UK Government’s plan for a Green Industrial Revolution

The goals of the Future & Emerging Technologies Theme are:
 

  • To establish the University of Portsmouth's international reputation as a centre of excellence for future & emerging technologies and their practical application
  • To provide non-elitist support for interdisciplinary research & innovation
  • To be a driver for economic growth through interdisciplinary research & innovation
  • To act as one of five coordinated thematic areas

 

Theme activities

The Future & Emerging Technologies Theme constantly arranges events and initiatives to develop interdisciplinary research and innovation – here are just some of the areas that have emerged with Theme support.

Artificial Intelligence and its Practical Applications (AIPA) Cluster

api cluster
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European Space Agency (ESA) Business Applications

night sky with stars
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Horizons 5G

horizon 5g
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Intelligent Transport Cluster

Cargo ship in the ocean
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Quantum Science and Technology Hub (QSTH)

outer space
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Space South Central (SSC)

Arial view of earth
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Research areas

Many of the University's research areas cover the areas of Future and Emerging Technologies, including:

Digital and Creative Technologies research

We're fuelling technological advances in animation, visual effects (VFX), cross reality (XR), user experience (UX), computer and video games, and visual computing. Discover the work we do.

Virtual reality headset
Discover our research

Health Informatics

We're improving the design of computer systems and wellbeing services to make the delivery of healthcare more efficient and cost-effective, and we're exploring how technology can influence lifestyle choices and reduce health risks.

vitality health check
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Computing

We're exploring how computational paradigms and algorithms can be used to make a positive difference in a variety of human-machine systems – and our research in computational intelligence is already making an impact.

Information systems student reaches into server
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Civil Engineering

We're working to better understand the increasingly-complex and highly-pressurised nature of modern construction – from the rising prevalence of hybrid technology, to the challenges of managing component supply chains.

Architecture and surveying design on paper
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Operational Research and Logistics

We're researching how we can apply quantitative methodologies to improve decision-making across a range of diverse fields of application.

Large ship at industrial port, loading containers
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Mechanical and Design Engineering

Explore the work we're doing in Biomedical Engineering and Materials Engineering – our two areas of expertise in Mechanical & Design Engineering research.

Different shaped metal objects on a counter
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Research features

Explore our features for a snapshot of our recent research work in this research theme.

Using algorithms to make wind farms more efficient

Professor Dylan Jones
Wind turbines
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Professor Jim Briggs

Developing technology that can help save lives
Heart rate monitor with ECG
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How Smart Diagnosis is making nuclear power safer

Professor Victor Becerra
Nuclear power source
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New algorithm will improve bowel-cancer patient care

Predicting how long a patient might spend in hospital if they’re diagnosed with bowel cancer
Flags outside QA hospital
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Future and Emerging Technology news

See all theme news
Battery technology

University enters technology licensing agreement to advance battery modelling

15 December 2023

University enters technology licensing agreement to advance battery modelling
Battery technology

University enters technology licensing agreement to advance battery modelling

13 December 2023

University enters technology licensing agreement to advance battery modelling
Physic Chat members with award

Portsmouth cosmologists win public engagement awards

27 September 2023

Portsmouth cosmologists win public engagement awards
Tim Peake programme poster

Astrophysicist joins astronaut Tim Peake on an incredible journey through our Universe

18 September 2023

Astrophysicist joins astronaut Tim Peake on an incredible journey through our Universe
A three-bedroom house on campus with solar panels outside

Solar panels and smart batteries powered Portsmouth house for half a year

22 June 2023

Solar panels and smart batteries powered Portsmouth house for half a year

Future and Emerging Technology blogs

See all theme blogs
What we take with us game logo

I created a ‘cosy game’ – and learned how they can change players’ lives

Adam Jerrett

I created a ‘cosy game’ – and learned how they can change players’ lives
Student House B Roll Shoot

How a hybrid heating system could lower your bills and shrink your carbon footprint

Jovana Radulovic

How a hybrid heating system could lower your bills and shrink your carbon footprint
Picture of a robot

What measures could make the use of AI more transparent and explainable to the public?

What measures could make the use of AI more transparent and explainable to the …

What measures could make the use of AI more transparent and explainable to the public?
outline of head with draw arrows going in different directions

How to make better decisions – using scoring systems

How to make better decisions – using scoring systems

How to make better decisions – using scoring systems
Flying saucer hovering over forest in grey

UFOs: what we’ll learn from the Nasa panel investigating sightings

Christopher Pattison

UFOs: what we’ll learn from the Nasa panel investigating sightings