Research, Innovation and Enterprise

The post-Covid world of 2023 has certainly been brighter than previous years, with campus becoming a bustling hub of work and study once more, but it has not been without its own challenges. The cost-of-living crisis, geopolitical instability and the climate crises mean that the need for impactful research and innovation has never been more pronounced.

The articles in this edition show how our research and innovation are underpinned by our commitment to improve lives, engage with people and organisations and work together with them to shape a better future.

For example, the research to help children with movement and handwriting difficulties shows how our work can improve these children’s lives by helping them to overcome their challenges and build their confidence. The Edible Streets project fosters interest in science and, while encouraging affordable healthy eating, it also promotes community cohesion and wellbeing.

Our research also informs public and community engagement activities like the Think Human Festival, which promotes collaborations between our staff and students, community groups and third sector organisations. It also encourages debate and reflection on topical issues explored through the lenses of humanities and social science disciplines. We collaborate with industry, as illustrated by the work of the Joining Technology Research Centre within the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics to help mass produce the next generation of more efficient, reliable and powerful electric vehicles.

Our Enterprise Centre, established in collaboration with OxLEP and formally launched in September 2022, provides a space for startups and spinouts to grow and contribute to the UK economy. We ensure that our students benefit from the presence of these companies on campus, as they provide opportunities for internships and employment as well as inspiration to become entrepreneurs.

None of this would be possible without nurturing the talent of the next generation of researchers, professionals and entrepreneurs. We conclude this edition with a series of profiles that include a graduate from the Oxford Brookes Business School who, with the help of our colleagues, has set up his own startup, and three of our doctoral students sharing their research projects and future aspirations.

I hope you enjoy reading about what we do.

The publication can be found here: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/getmedia/08cd5245-fbac-4dd9-b340-0fe54e9313af/RIE-Publication-Shaping-the-future-2023-2024-SCREEN.pdf

Written by Professor Linda King, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Global Partnerships