BLOG: PGR Lara-Kay Shafi discusses the surprising questions about skin that need more investigating...
Research Impact
Research impact takes many forms, as changes beyond academia to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, that take place as a consequence of research.
The impact case studies below demonstrate the real-world differences University of Bradford researchers are creating with their research in diverse areas across our key research themes of health and care, the engineered environment and sustainable societies.
We've also curated a selection of innovations and inventions that the University of Bradford has given the world, which demonstrates the legacy of our research since the University's inception in 1966.
Research news
Our research innovations have a positive impact on society - read some of our recent success stories and insights below, and discover more about our research impact, read our blog, listen to our podcasts, or subscribe to our research and innovation newsletter.
BLOG: The Bradford-Renduchintala Centre for Space AI team give an overview of their work to date, successes, and goals for the future.
Read about the 31 research projects as part of our partnership with Bradford City of Culture 2025.
BLOG: Kathryn Webber describes how she set up one of the first myopia management clinics in the UK.
Impactful research projects from Bradford 2025
The University of Bradford has been a proud partner of Bradford 2025 since it was announced the city would bid to become UK City of Culture 2025. The University committed to an exciting range of research, evaluation and public engagement events throughout the year, and providing support to key areas in the City of Culture team.
Throughout the year, the University ran 31 research projects, driven through our Culture and Identity Research Group.
In April 2026 we celebrated these projects at the Bradford Impact Festival, where we showcased the research and engagement through talks, discussions and a poster exhibition. We also compiled a pdf document bringing together the details of all the research that was featured in the exhibition:
View the pdf: 'What a Difference a Year Makes - The University of Bradford and Bradford 2025'.
Business and community engagement research stories
Our videos below show some examples of how organisations and communities benefit from our research.
Find out more on our Business and Community pages.
Our research supported Rakusen’s to successfully rebrand the business as a technology driven enterprise and achieve its objective to increase exports.
We partnered with Health Innovations to successfully scale up the EfferShield effervescent technology in products for the UK and international markets.
Bradford researchers supported Bradford Council to successfully develop a ‘Digital Twin’ of the city centre which was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary prize.
Digital and Sustainable Futures
Stories related to the three research themes of our Institute of Digital and Sustainable Futures.
BLOG: Hassan Ugail - What happens when we test AI for consciousness?Academic Profile: Prof Ashraf AshourAcademic Profile - Dr Kavian CookeAcademic Profile - Dr Rob InnesAcademic profile: Dr Stephen HickeyAcademic Profile - Dr Kulvinder PanesarPolymer ICT - Helping industry solve real world problems through polymer researchPolymer research updated - Dr Tom SwiftProfessor Rami Qahwaji - "We Need to Forecast Space Weather Better"Research in Conversation - Space Weather (video)Automated Solar Activity Prediction (ASAP) system used by NASAResearch in Conversation - Thermoplastic Granulation (video)Professor Raed Abd-Alhameed - Innovations to improve internet performance (video)Dr Farshid Sefat - Biomedical applications of bismuth-based nanoparticles (video)Dr Jaan Pu - Water engineering applications (video)Professor Apostolos Vourdas - Quantum computation (video)Deep face recognition technology effective in criminal investigationsDeep face recognition continuedUsing digital technology to increase trust in politicsResearch in Conversation - Improving Citizen Engagement in Local Government (video)
BLOG: DR Kayt Armstrong - On site at a Roman FortDr Karina Croucher - The Role of Archaeology in GriefContinuing Bonds: exploring the meaning and legacy of death through past and contemporary practiceVisualising Heritage - 3D modelling of archaeological artefacts and monumentsVisualising Heritage continuedStonehenge Hidden LandscapesResearch in Conversation - Continuing Bonds, Understanding Bereavement
BLOG: Navigating the Economic Architecture of Nigeria’s Tech EvolutionBLOG: Insights from research in UkraineAcademic profile: Prof Fiona MacaulayAcademic Profile: Professor Eva KipnisAcademic Profile - Dr Rexford Attah-Boakye Dr Rhys Kelly and Dr Ute Kelly - Community Engagement and Climate AdaptationChanging police attitudes and practices around violence against women and girls in BrazilResearch in Conversation - Policing Gender-Based ViolenceDr Samina Karim - Tackling Child Abuse in PakistanResearch in Conversation - Building Resilience Through HeritageThe impacts of the pandemic on research (video)
Health and Social Care
Research stories from our Institute of Health and Social Care.
BLOG: Why Medicines Safety MattersBLOG: Raynaud’s - More Than Just Cold Hands by Dr Ria VaportzisAcademic Profile: Dr Dr Chinonso Igwesi-Chidobe Academic Profile: Dr Joanna NicholsAcademic Profile: Dr Eleanor BryantAcademic profile: Gill KirkmanAcademic profile: Dr Samina KarimAcademic profile: Dr Melanie CooperAcademic profile: Dr Catherine Quinn
Academic profile - Dr Jacobo Elies GomezAcademic Profile: Dr Sobia KauserIncanthera drug developmentCancer discoveries updated - Prof Rob FalconerTranslating beauty and health research to business brandsDr Ghorbani Mojarrad - How does a curved screen effect the eye?Dr Gisela Helfer - Naked Mole Rats and Circadian RhythmsInnovative polymer heart stentsPolymer research updated - Dr Tom Swift