Bold thinking sits at the heart of our research.
By pushing boundaries and reimagining what’s possible we’re enabling brilliant minds to deliver meaningful change. We work with businesses to build partnerships that create value beyond the University. And for our communities, we’re developing opportunities that support growth and progress.
Across areas from sustainability to cultural heritage, NTU’s research is shaping the future.
Some of our recent awards and achievements
Outstanding research accomplishments
Professor Rowena Hill - Member of the British Empire (MBE)
Rowena Hill, Professor of Resilience, Emergencies and Disaster Science was awarded a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours in recognition of her outstanding public service. She received the honour for her role as collaborative lead for the Covid-19 National Foresight Group (C19 NFG), which played a pivotal role in understanding the impacts of the pandemic.
Professor Paul Evans awarded the Dennis Gabor Medal
Distinguished Professor and Royal Wolfson Fellow, Professor Paul Evans received the prestigious Dennis Gabor Medal in 2017 in recognition of his pioneering research into material-specific, 3D X-ray imaging and its application in security screening- work that has significantly enhanced the safety of the travelling public.
NTU researchers secure first-ever fellowships from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
In April 2025, Dr Martina Gabrielli and Dr Yuri Kawaguchi were each awarded prestigious Discovery Fellowships from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) — marking the first time NTU researchers have received this highly competitive award.
Dr Amy Twigger Holroyd awarded the Philip Leverhulme Prize
Dr Amy Twigger Holroyd is a fashion sustainability expert at Nottingham School of Art & Design who became NTU's first Philip Leverhulme Prize recipient in 2025 - an award recognised for pioneering research into sustainable fashion.
Read more about Amy's achievement
Professor Mohsen Rahmani secures European Research Council Grant
Professor Mohsen Rahmani secured a €3m European Research Council grant to develop UPIRI, a low-cost infrared imaging platform using meta surfaces to convert infrared light into visible images, with potential uses in healthcare, food safety and environmental monitoring.
Read more about Mohsen's accomplishment
NTU Recognised as a Policing Academic Centre of Excellence (P-ACE)
Nottingham Trent University has been named a Policing Academic Centre of Excellence (P-ACE), recognising its role in shaping policing through research. Led by Professor Andy Newton, NTU will support the sector with new technologies, improved training and tools to enhance public safety.
Read more about the recognition
Professor Bridget Waller secures European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant
Professor Bridget Waller secured a €1.99m ERC Consolidator Grant for FACEDIFF, a five-year study exploring how differences in facial expression shape social interaction, anatomy and evolution across humans and primates.
Read about monkey facial recognition research
Professor Eiman Kanjo named in Top 50 Women in Engineering
Professor Eiman Kanjo was named among the Top 50 Women in Engineering by The Women’s Engineering Society (WES). The annual list celebrates women who have made a significant impact through the creation or improvement of products or processes that make a difference.
Read about Professor Kanjo's achievement
Collaboratory Research Hub Cited in Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) Inclusive Growth Commission Report
NTU’s Collaboratory Research Hub was cited by the RSA Inclusive Growth Commission for shaping a fairer skills system. The £5.1m partnership trains 50 PhD students to tackle real-world challenges through community-led research.
Read about the partnership on LinkedIn
More about research at NTU
Our Research and Impact
Through our Research Centres and Strategic Research Themes, we’re delivering ground-breaking research that has a profound real-world impact on individuals, communities, businesses and policies.
Research Reimagined
To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter.
Winners of Images of Research Competition 2025
The university-wide Images of Research competition offers researchers across NTU the opportunity to convey their research using a single image – a photograph, digital image, or digital artwork - along with an engaging short description.
NTU achievements and awards
NTU is globally recognised for innovation, world-leading academics, and an exceptional standard of student care. Every year, thousands of our graduates move into high-skilled, impactful careers, backed by continual investment in outstanding facilities and research that tackles society’s most urgent challenges.
These aren’t just ambitions — they’re what we deliver every day. They reflect our belief in being bold, being distinctive, and making the right choices. It’s what makes NTU an award-winning university like no other.
Explore more achievements and awards