Research and innovation

Our collaborative research draws on cross-department expertise to address the biggest challenges facing the world today.

We enhance our impact through interconnected working across different research themes. In 2024, we launched a set of research and innovation hubs, with the goal of driving change, fostering creativity, and contributing to a more inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected world. Our research and innovation hubs put intellectual inquiry front and centre whilst also pursuing high impact partnership and engagement outcomes.

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Research hubs

Loughborough University London is home to several pioneering research hubs, each dedicated to addressing contemporary challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative research.

AI and humanity
Climate and ecological transitions
Communication and social change
Creative experiences and technologies
Policy, sport and geopolitics in an unstable world
Social inequalities and justice

Explore our research hubs

Our achievements

Over 90% of Loughborough’s research is ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Awarded 5 stars for research

International QS Stars Scheme 2023

Awarded seven Queen’s Anniversary Prizes

Our research community

We bring together the brightest minds to discover new possibilities.

Academic researchers Doctoral students

PhD opportunities

Choose Loughborough for your postgraduate research degree and collaborate with leaders in your field. We strive to build a dynamic, visionary community, where cross-departmental academics and brilliant researchers develop cutting-edge solutions to real-world challenges.

Our institutes

Our five Institutes span the areas of: Design Innovation, Digital Technologies, Diplomacy and International Affairs, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Management, Media and Communication, Creative Industries, and Sport Business.

Research at Loughborough University

You can search by topic, academic school, established strengths and interdisciplinary challenges – you’ll be amazed at the breadth and excellence of our achievements.

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Access our expertise

Together with our partners, whether local or global, our teams work across disciplines to develop and apply new ideas, discoveries, and inventions.

Collaborate with top researchers to achieve your business objectives. We can work together to deliver impactful solutions - some of our partnerships are funded or cost-free.

Collaborate with us