Research

Primed with an ambitious innovation strategy and a transformational campus masterplan, we're creating a hub of research excellence at the heart of Greater Manchester. 

Building on our rich heritage of industry engagement, we’re ready to accelerate impactful research and enterprise in thematic areas of productivity, sustainable environment, healthy living and creative and resilient communities. 

Are you ready to take your research idea to the next level? Join us and see what we can achieve together.

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REF 2021

Recognising Research Excellence

Salford rises 22 places in the Times Higher Education league table based on the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 results.

In the REF 2021 exercise, Salford’s research was rated overall as 78% world-leading and internationally excellent (24% 4* and 54% 3*). This performance placed us at 65th in the UK iby Grade Point Average - an impressive jump of 22 places, up from 87th in REF 2014 (Times Higher Education). 

Professor Karl Dayson, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, has congratulated colleagues on this achievement, saying “The results are testament to the hard work and diligence of those involved in our research and we are pleased to see areas of our expertise being recognised as world-leading in all of our submissions”.

Research Strategy

Strategy Overview Our goals, themes and priorities

We are committed to enhancing our research excellence today, whilst we develop our future-leading areas of tomorrow.

We will be recognised as a global leader of challenge-led research and solutions-focused enterprise, delivering responsible innovation for economic, environmental, and social impact.

Capitalising on our key areas of strength in research, enterprise, and education, we will work in partnership to address the needs of local, regional, national, and global stakeholders.

Read on to learn more about the goals, themes and priorities that shape our research strategy and agenda.

Strategy overview

Our goals

  • Expanding our reputation for excellence and innovation in research and enterprise
  • Creating added value through strengthening and deepening our partnerships
  • Generating measurable economic, societal and environmental impact at a local, national and international level

Our themes

We've chosen four themes to represent our main areas of research activity and illustrate the way in which our institution collectively influences and benefits society:

  • Productivity
  • Creative and Resilient Communities
  • Sustainable Environment
  • Healthy Living

Underpinning these themes, we focus on three enabling technologies:

  • Robotics
  • Digital
  • Smart Living

These enabling technologies will both develop new types of businesses and disciplines, whilst also transforming existing organisations and areas of research and methodologies.

Our priorities

  • Accelerating areas of research and enterprise excellence
  • Developing creative research and enterprise leaders
  • Transforming our culture
  • Building a stronger economy
  • Delivering a successful public and civic engagement

Research Centres

Research centres and units

Across the university, there is research and enterprise of the highest quality held in high global esteem.

Our interdisciplinary research centres bring together experts to address global challenges relating to technology, health and wellbeing, urban and natural environments, and resilience and creativity in society.

Explore our research centres

Research Engagement

Public and Community Engagement

Integrity

Research Governance

The University of Salford’s Research Code of Practice outlines our commitment to conducting all research and impact activities to the highest levels of integrity. Our research governance policies and procedures ensure we act responsibly, ethically and in accordance with professional standards.

Our Research Community

Postgraduate students talking

Our people are at the heart of what we do. We endeavour to create a culture which attracts and retains the best people and promotes open and responsible research and innovation.

We encourage and reward ambition, inclusivity, leadership and collaboration helping researchers from all backgrounds to fulfil their potential.

Read more: Supporting our researchers