Discovering ways to improve our lives

Almost 80 percent of our research is rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) in the latest Government Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment.
UWL is ranked in the top 100 universities in the UK for the overall quality of our research.

By sharing our research and technology, and drawing on our close ties with businesses and industry, our research finds answers to problems to improve our lives. Find out more about our current projects and the impact of our research.

Our collaborative and supportive research community brings together common areas of expertise and shares findings. Find out more about our active research areas and research degrees.

Research at UWL

Featured research projects

How can we dispel myths about rape to improve conviction rates?

Professor Ben Hine speaks about the impact of 'rape myths' in policing and on officers’ approach to the victims they work with. Using the study, Ben developed and delivered training for officers.

What if music sounded different every time you played it?

Professor Justin Paterson reveals all about variPlay, an app designed to make listening to music an interactive experience. Hear about the research involved in the project and its impact on music artists and music fans.

How can we improve acute care for people with dementia?

Professor Katie Featherstone and Dr Andy Northcott discuss their research into improving acute care for people with dementia and its impact.

Explore how our research is being used

An older man is drawing using coloured pens at a table that is covered in art supplies. In the backgrounds there are other tables with different people sat at them.
Helping those living with dementia

Learn about how our research led to the development of a multi-sensory cafe for people with dementia and their loved ones; transformed care homes to improve quality of life for residents and used scent to stimulate memories.

close up of moss-covered tree roots
Testing below the surface without causing damage

Find out about our research into pioneering, non-destructive techniques to understand the condition of both natural and man-made structures.

Police officers patrolling the street
Tackling rape myths in policing

Find out about our research to understand how attitudes to rape victims can impact a police officer's judgement in sexual assault cases. 

The Olympic rings in London's olympic park
Ensuring the redevelopment of the London Olympic Park helps local people

Find out more about our research into whether London Olympics delivered the promised affordable housing legacy.

an older person holding a glass of water sitting next to her carer
Improving hydration in care settings

Find out how our hydration research has helped older people in care settings stay hydrated.

Schoolchildren raising their hands in a classroom
Helping children develop their confidence

Find out how our research has helped schools to support shy or withdrawn children develop their social skills and become more confident in the classroom.

Internet of things, represented by an abstract image of a phone surrounded by home appliances
Protecting the Internet of Things

Find out about how our cybersecurity research is helping to prevent the threat of large-scale attacks.

Male nurse tending to patient in hospital bed, with a second nurse present.
Preventing healthcare-associated infections

Find out about our research to develop guidelines to prevent infection in healthcare settings.

Someone operating a sound desk during a dress rehearsal
Making music interactive

Find out about our research to develop an app that allows listeners to interact with an artist's music.

Sophie Muller, a successful director of music videos who was interviewed by Professor Emily Caston.
Understanding the impact of British music videos on the screen industries

Find out about our research into the history of music videos in Britain and their impact on the screen industries.

An older man is drawing using coloured pens at a table that is covered in art supplies. In the backgrounds there are other tables with different people sat at them.
close up of moss-covered tree roots
Police officers patrolling the street
The Olympic rings in London's olympic park
an older person holding a glass of water sitting next to her carer
Schoolchildren raising their hands in a classroom
Internet of things, represented by an abstract image of a phone surrounded by home appliances
Male nurse tending to patient in hospital bed, with a second nurse present.
Someone operating a sound desk during a dress rehearsal
Sophie Muller, a successful director of music videos who was interviewed by Professor Emily Caston.

Our research strategy and governance

A group of students working on laptops and looking at a shared screen on the wall

Read our Research and Scholarship Strategy 2021-2025.

Our research is governed by policies which draw on good practice in research and legal frameworks including human rights legislation, ethical research conduct and our data protection policy: