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Research

Making a difference

By taking on the toughest global challenges, we can make the biggest difference.

We’re building a healthier, more sustainable and inclusive world through our research and knowledge exchange.

We’re proud of the impact our research has on our local, national and global community. Our work is changing the way we think, the way we work, the way we interact with each other, and the world around us.

Find out about how we are shaping a different future – today.

Dr Zishang Zhu, Dewpoint Cooling Systems, Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies

Research that reshapes lives,
policy, and possibility

Key themes

We're harnessing our expertise to address global challenges, in areas of critical need. Together, we're working to create a better world for everyone.

Ice cap breaking and falling into the ocean

A sustainable world

There's no greater threat to humanity than the climate crisis, and we take sustainability seriously. Our researchers work with partners and industry to seek sustainable solutions for the future of our planet.

We’re leading a £2 million project to help protect the future of precarious coastal communities, and we're driving the faster adoption of clean, sustainable and renewable offshore wind energy.

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A healthy world

We’re working to ensure that everyone can access the very best health care possible, when they need it most.

With world leading expertise in end of life and palliative care, wound treatment, and addiction and mental health, we’re tackling some of the biggest healthcare challenges head on.

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An inclusive world

From our work to understand and tackle modern day slavery, to empowering marginalised communities through leadership and the arts, we're making the world a place in which we all feel valued.

Our research into criminal and social justice, equality and diversity, gender and health, influences policy and develops measures to prevent harm caused by violence, slavery, terrorism and other forms of injustice.

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Top 100 for global impact

We’re proud of our excellent achievements against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as evidenced in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings:

Partnership for the Goals

Joint 29th globally (of 2,389) for SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

49th globally (of 1,265) for SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Climate Action

Top 100 globally for SDG 13: Climate Action (72nd)

Reduced Inequalities

Top 100 globally for SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities (joint 99th)

Overall, the University is ranked in the 101-200 group (out of over 2,500 institutions).

These goals are an urgent call for action for countries to work in partnership, to address global challenges, and to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

Areas covered range from individual justice – tackling modern slavery and addressing health inequality – to making sure that our governments and organisations have the evidence and information they need to react and respond to crises.

The essential research and work that we undertake in these areas, as well as international and government advice, all contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

World-leading research

82% of our research was recognised as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, with the proportion of 4* research doubling since 2014. The University is ranked 55th overall (up 17 places since 2014) and 42nd on impact (up 23 places).

Globally, our research in 12 disciplines is ranked among the top 500 in the world, with Nursing ranked in the top 100, Oceanography ranked in the top 200, and Geography and Sports Science ranked in the top 300.

Outstanding Knowledge Exchange

Our performance was ranked in the top quintile in both the Local Growth and Working with public and third sector partners in the most recent Knowledge Exchange Framework, outperforming the average of other universities in our cluster.

Recent projects

Behind every global challenge we tackle, there are real stories of impact. Explore some of the pioneering projects and partnerships driving our work.

View all projectsView all featured projects

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Ongoing

Prosperity Partnership

An academic-industry partnership to drive faster adoption of clean, sustainable and renewable offshore wind energy

Ongoing

Taking a ProACTIVE approach

We’re part of a programme of research examining the clinical and cost effectiveness of alcohol care teams to inform the future commissioning of services.

Ongoing

How do we stand up to modern slavery? Together.

Through the Humber Modern Slavery Partnership, we stand together to protect human rights

Partnerships and collaboration

We’ll only change the world by working together, and our partnerships enable us to fully realise the potential of our research.

Whether through working with international networks, business and industry, funding bodies, or partner universities around the world, we believe in the power of partnerships.

Find out how to engage with us

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Our role in the region

We’re proud of our place at the heart of the region, and of our strong links with stakeholders, collaborators and community groups. As an anchor institution, we strive to make a positive impact through the way we engage with our partners across the region.

We aim always to raise aspirations and be a catalyst for inward investment. We’re an engine for innovation, driving a generation of new knowledge, technologies and solutions that impact our regional businesses and communities alongside shining a light on the Hull and East Yorkshire region.

We don’t just focus on how engage with businesses directly. We consider how we work with local supply chains and how the work we do enhances the wider economy and environment of the Humber region.

Our staff and students are integral parts of communities right across the area and our graduates help to drive innovation and growth using the tools we have helped them to develop.

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Our Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy

Our ambitious Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy 2025-30 will enable us to grow as an outstanding research-led university.

It focuses on developing and nurturing a culture and infrastructure in which our research and researchers can thrive, one in which we celebrate achievements and value inclusion in the work we do and the way we work. This will enable us to deliver excellent, impactful research and innovation to benefit communities, the economy and society.

This strong foundation will allow us to continue to work with regional partners across diverse organisations, businesses and the community, ensuring our research responds to the challenges of the local area as part of our role as an anchor institution.

We’ll also continue to cultivate partnerships that strengthen our position as a prominent leader in research and knowledge exchange regionally, nationally and internationally.

Download StrategyDownload our Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy

Get in touch

Making a difference

We’re building a healthier, more sustainable and inclusive world through our research and knowledge exchange.

Key themes

A sustainable world

A healthy world

An inclusive world