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New research centres to drive innovation

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Staffordshire University is celebrating the launch of four new research centres with a series of free virtual events next week.

Research and Enterprise Excellence Week, from Monday 14 to Friday 18 June, will showcase pioneering research and enterprise across a variety of fields and invites students, staff and the public to learn about Staffordshire University’s latest projects.

This includes new initiatives to tackle climate change, innovations in AI and smart technologies, developing learning and teaching to improve social mobility, plus engaging communities through creativity.

Tim Horne, Director of Research Innovation and Impact Services, said: “Research and enterprise excellence is at the heart of our strategic plan and we aspire to be the leading UK modern university for this. Our connections and collaborations bring value to communities locally, regionally and beyond, and impact on lives across the world.

“Our interdisciplinary approach means that academics collaborate across departments, with our research centres bringing together the best minds to drive real change. These events provide the opportunity for everyone to discover more about our thriving research community and our vision for the future.”

Being launched on Monday 14 June is the new Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Engineering which is addressing real-world engineering challenges, using emerging technologies to improve people’s lives and the environment they live in, improving life satisfaction, productivity, and sustainability.

With experts from across engineering and design, the centre specialises in Renewable and Low Carbon Energy, Sustainable Manufacturing and Sustainable Transport.

Its Director, Professor Torfeh Sadat-Shafai, said: “Global warming and its impact on our lives have been the source of many international debates. The signatories to the Paris agreement on reduction of greenhouse gases have come to the realisation that the current trend can’t be continued, leading to irreversible environmental damage.

“At Staffordshire University we have always been conscious of the environmental impact from greenhouse gases and have promoted research and development in technologies to address that. This centre builds on this with new research into emerging technologies in this field.”

Tuesday 16 June sees the launch of SCoLPP: Staffordshire Centre of Learning and Pedagogic Practice, which has been created for everyone with a passion for learning and teaching. It is widening opportunities for all colleagues at Staffordshire University to engage in research and to develop evidence-informed learning.

Also exploring next generation technologies is the Smart Systems, AI and Cybersecurity Research Centre (SSAICS). The public are invited to its launch on Thursday 17 June to learn more about how smart systems can be embedded in every aspect of life – from in our homes to healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing.

Finally, the C3 Centre for Creative Industries and Creative Communities brings together artists, collectives and creative thinkers who are passionate about engaging, interacting and co-creating with their surrounding communities.At its launch on Friday 18 June, the C3 Centre will explain why research in the arts is so important for our post-pandemic resilience. There will also be a ‘Virtual Pub’ where visitors can chat to researchers and project partners.

All online events are free to attend – please register below:

Amy Platts

Media Communications Officer

t: 01782 292702

m: 07799 341911

e: amy.platts@staffs.ac.uk

Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.  

We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.  

We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020. 
 
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries. 

We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.

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