Research at the University of Central Lancashire
The UK Research Funding Councils define research as “original investigation undertaken in order to gain knowledge and understanding. It includes work of direct relevance to the needs of commerce and industry, as well as to the public and voluntary sectors; scholarship; the invention and generation of ideas, images, performances and artefacts including design, where these lead to new or substantially improved insights; and the use of existing knowledge in experimental development to produce new or substantially improved materials, devices, products and processes.”
UCLan staff are active in all aspects of research as described above with specific long-standing strengths in the areas of Physics, Law and History. Recently, these have been supplemented through a substantial investment programme leading to the emergence of new research centres in the areas of Nuclear, Digital Manufacturing, Fire Science, Sustainability, Sports Science, Philosophy, Mental Health, Business, the Creative Industries, Deaf Studies, Forensic Science and Criminology & Criminal Justice.
These initiatives follow on from the recent creation of two new Schools in Pharmacy and Dentistry and the acquisition of the Westlakes Research Institute (WRI), a research organisation with international reputations in Environmental Science, Genetics and Epidemiology. Subsequently, the WRI has embarked on a £5M modernisation programme.
Research at the University contributes across many of our teaching programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, bringing cutting edge and a contemporary relevance to the student learning experience. The importance of this link within UCLan is demonstrated clearly by the recent creation of the Centre for Research Informed Teaching.
As a result of this tangible commitment to its research, the University has over the last few years increased substantially the volume of its external research grant funding. Innovative research is being supported financially from an increasingly wide range of sources including the Research Councils, the European Union, the National Health Service, Industry and Government at regional, national and international levels. Without a doubt, academics at the University of Central Lancashire are making a vital contribution to disseminating research and global knowledge and helping to shape the world beyond academic life.
Potential postgraduate students are invited to browse the web sites of our research centres, institutes and academic schools in search of relevant areas of expertise and potential supervisory teams. To make initial enquiries concerning research degree programmes and funding availability, please contact the appropriate research area’s Research Degree Tutor.
Overall, UCLan has wide-ranging ambitions for its ever expanding research portfolio and to continue fostering an atmosphere that allows all to excel and reach their full research potential.
I hope you find the information on this website useful. If you would like further details, please do not hesitate to contact myself or any of the staff identified on these pages.
Dr. Robert Walsh
University Director of Research
