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RESEARCH CENTRES AND GROUPS 

A Research Centre is a group of staff, possibly involving PhD students, working on collaborative, world-leading research, and whose work together provides added value over and above their individual research projects.  Research Centres may be in new or emerging areas and are often interdisciplinary in nature, undertaking research that is internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour and that has considerable impacts. Research Centres will be expected to feature prominently in Research Excellence Framework Environment Statements.

A Research Group provides a focus for a collection of staff, possibly involving PhD students working on a particular research topic or theme.  They may be working in an emerging or established area of expertise.  

This category is governed entirely at School level.  Schools are responsible for approving the creation of new Research Centres and Groups and reviewing those already established.  If you are interested in establishing a Research Centre or Group please contact your School Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange.

More information is available in the Guidelines for Schools on the Purpose, Establishment and Governance of Research Centres and Groups.

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE

Centres of Excellence are a new catgory of research grouping and are defined as the University’s flagship pillars of research strength.  They will:

• transcend disciplinary boundaries,
• share a common vision with an overarching and clearly defined set of research objectives,
• act as a hub for a critical mass of researchers and students, ensuring a dynamic, sustainable research base and an active knowledge sharing platform,
• provide a collaborative and supportive environment that nurtures high quality, impactful research and knowledge exchange with international visibility,
• increase the University’s national and international profile and reputation in distinct areas of research strength, as well as foment further research opportunities, and
• be exemplars of best practice in creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive research culture and environment in which people can flourish.

 The University created 12 Centres of Excellence in July 2023.

Guidelines for Schools on the Purpose, Establishment and Governance of Centres of Excellence.