Research excellence

Bangor University’s pioneering and impact–driven research is helping to tackle some of the biggest social, health, economic and environmental challenges in the world today.

With a research and innovation vision to be a global centre of excellence in sustainability, the University takes a distinctive and holistic approach to sustainability that resonates with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales).

Through our research, collaborations and partnerships we are at the forefront of emerging societal priorities and challenges and are contributing to future Government policies and practices to address them. During 2021–22 researchers were successfully awarded 210 new research grants worth £20.5 million with 116 research degrees awarded.

Among our flagship initiatives, Welsh Government–backed plans for a North Wales Medical School at Bangor University will deliver an innovative inter–professional School that builds on our research strengths in Human Sciences and helps develop future health and social care that is sustainable, place–based and supports the growth of the regional life sciences sector.

Our research takes a holistic ‘systems’ approach, with a special focus on a range of low carbon energy activities including nuclear and marine energy systems and sensor technologies. Our work is focused on enhancing the readiness of new technologies, strengthened through significant industrial partnerships.

Bangor has one of the largest groups of environmental scientists in the UK. Our internationally renowned work in Ocean and Natural Sciences ranges from global environmental change to sustainable food production.

The prestigious Nuclear Futures Institute includes extraordinary facilities being used by researchers and industry stakeholders to aid nuclear technology development, while our Smart Efficient Energy Centre is advancing engineering, computer science and modelling to increase the sustainability of energy supply and use while minimising negative environmental impacts.

In the world of business and finance, the Bangor Business School is at the forefront of research and training in the areas of accounting, banking, and finance in the UK and is a Top 50 institution in the world for Banking research.

Sport scientists are carrying out research into mental resilience, elite performance, human performance and health in extreme environments, dietary behaviour and metabolism, and exercise and vascular health.

And with a research focus on Welsh and Celtic Studies, Creative Writing and Performance, and Linguistics we are drawing on the distinctly Welsh culture of Bangor’s location and situating it in an international context. Where the research expertise of the University maps onto specialisms of local industry this creates a powerful hub for innovation activity. Importantly, part of the ethos of Bangor University is to link our research to the regional environment of North Wales so that its impact can help drive economic and social regeneration.

As well as boasting the highest proportion of Welsh/ English bilingual staff in Wales, with notable expertise in the history and culture of Wales and the Welsh language, our researchers come from 30 countries worldwide and collaborate with colleagues in over 120 nations.

Engaging with our communities and demonstrating our research value to society is our core DNA. We are committed to sustaining a positive and successful relationship with stakeholders encompassing a quadruple helix of Bangor University research, industry expertise, government and civic society.

210 new research grants worth £20.5 million