Research and innovation

Many of the world’s challenges are systemic in their nature. Tackling these challenges demands collaboration, a whole systems approach and innovations that generate fundamental and applied research. At Leeds, we are making major investments in our people, facilities and capabilities.

Tackling global challenges

We conduct interdisciplinary and impact-orientated research to address challenges at regional, national and global levels. To achieve this our research is user-led and solutions focused, driven by the needs of our partners and stakeholders. Leeds is committed to working across disciplines to help tackle global challenges in areas including:

Expertise in resilient infrastructure, sustainable cities and building sustainable societies is being applied to challenges including social justice and economic sustainability.
Read about our cities research

Climate change and its impact on society and ecosystems is a grand challenge at a global scale, demanding solutions developed by a community of researchers who work together across a range of disciplines.
Read about our climate change research

Culture is at the heart of exciting plans to galvanise the University's contribution to the city and region - as well as nationally and internationally - creating a wide range of collaborative opportunities for staff, students and partners.
Read about our culture research

The Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) is developing data analytics as a transformative technology and playing a crucial role where research, education and industry meet.
Read about our data analytics research

Energy Leeds brings together researchers to tackle one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century - maintaining clean, secure and affordable supplies as part of a sustainable energy future.
Read about our energy research

Leeds has a track record of food and nutrition research which has influenced policy, supported industry on R&D and innovation on issues from sustenance to sustainability.
Read about our food research

At Leeds, we aim to improve human health through nurturing interdisciplinary research collaborations in areas which can have the greatest impact.
Read about our global health research

We are working to understand and influence social change across the world. From modernising policing methods in the UK to keeping girls in school in Uganda, we aim for research which has an impact.
Read about our social change research

We are aiming to use structural biology to solve major issues from curing the common cold to developing new antibiotics. The Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology brings together researchers from physics, the biological sciences and chemistry to understand the molecular basis of life.
Read about our structural biology research

Leeds is home to the largest interdisciplinary water research centre of its kind in the world.
Read about our water research

News

See All News

Prize challenge to artists and scientists

Arts & Culture, Science Wednesday 11 December 2019

Breathing new life into Earth's oxygen debate

Environment, Science Tuesday 10 December 2019

Greenland losing ice 'faster than expected'

Environment, Science Tuesday 10 December 2019

Leeds research could revolutionise vaccine development

Health, Science Friday 6 December 2019

Developing the next generation of anticoagulant

Science, Working with Business Thursday 5 December 2019

Most Black Friday purchases soon end up as waste

Business & Economy, Society & Politics Friday 29 November 2019

University opens National Pig Centre in Yorkshire

Working with Business, Science Thursday 28 November 2019

Facilities

We continue to invest in our facilities. These range from the core tools needed to support cutting edge research through to highly specialised equipment, such as our driving simulator, electron beam lithography system and national robotics capability.

Spotlight

Our extraordinary research: Why Leeds

We explore why UKRI, the UK’s biggest public funder of research and innovation, is marking its anniversary event at the University of Leeds. Read More

Search our faculties

Search more of our research areas through our faculties listing.

Visit the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures website

Executive Dean - Professor Frank Finlay

Deputy Dean - Professor Luke Windsor

Pro-Dean for Student Education - Dr Simon Baines

Deputy Pro-Dean for Student Education - Dr Melanie Prideaux

Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation - Professor Philip Mellor

Pro-Dean for International - Professor Manuel Barcia Paz

Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institute - Professor Alison Fell and Deputy Director Dr David Higgins

Director of Postgraduate Research Studies - Dr Michael Spencer

Faculty office (3 Cavendish Road) - +44 (0)113 3432687

Schools of study

School of Design - Professor Chris Carr
School of English - Dr Fiona Becket
School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies - Dr Joanne Crawford
School of History - Professor Andrea Major
Institute for Medieval Studies – Dr Alaric Hall
Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied - Professor Christopher Megone
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies - Professor Emma Cayley
School of Media and Communication - Dr Kate Nash
School of Music - Professor Karen Burland Clark
School of Performance and Cultural Industries - Professor Alice O'Grady
School of Philosophy, Religion and the History of Science - Dr James Stark (Interim)

Visit the Faculty of Biological Sciences website

Executive Dean of Faculty - Professor John Ladbury

Pro-Dean for Student Education - Professor Kenneth McDowall

Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation - Professor Brendan Davies

Pro-Dean: International - Professor Jim Deuchars

Faculty office - +44 (0)113 343 5647

Undergraduate Admissions Enquiries: +44(0) 113 343 3021
Undergraduate Office enquiries for current students: +44 (0)113 343 8236
Postgraduates: see our Masters page