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Our Research and Impact

Through our Research Peaks, Centres and Themes, we’re delivering ground-breaking research that has a profound real-world impact on individuals, communities, businesses and policies.

From social media addiction to sustainable farming, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and work together to find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.

Research Excellence Framework (REF)

At NTU, our research has deep connections with the real challenges faced by communities in our city, region, country and beyond. Our research has an impact that changes lives and the world we all share.

REF is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. As well as informing funding allocations, the REF provides accountability for public investment in research and provides important reputational benchmarks for research performance in the UK.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 86% of NTU’s research impact was assessed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent. The overall quality of each Unit of Assessment NTU submitted to REF in 2021 also saw an improvement from the previous REF in 2014.

More research and impact

Re:searchers Re:vealed

Here at NTU, our researchers come from a variety of backgrounds, and they all have a powerful story to tell. In this series, we share their stories. From the mothers, the dancers and the engineers, to the refugees, the survivors and the volunteers.

This is their re:search, re:vealed.

Re:search Re:imagined Podcast

NTU's brightest minds are coming together for a series of captivating conversations to explore different issues and events facing society.

Get closer to the researchers who inspire change and find answers to the questions that matter most to you.

Search our research

Discover our Research Centres, Groups, Projects and Impact Case Studies and find out the real-world impact our research is having in areas ranging from cancer treatment to food security.

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