The University of Bolton is an enterprising and professional university that is recognised for its long standing research tradition and pioneering links with business and industry. The University of Bolton enjoys an excellent reputation locally, nationally and internationally for the quality of its research activities. We are committed to an interdisciplinary approach that supports research across different academic areas and which is essential to the university's culture of enterprise and development.
Our relationships with public and private sector organisations are strong; whether working with a regional SME to improve their competitive edge or collaborating in international, multi-million pound research programmes. UK Research Councils, the European Union, the Northwest Development Agency, the Training and Development Agency for Schools, the NHS and many other private and public organisations provide a significant source of funding for research and enterprise activities.
Research Centers
The University of Bolton currently has four dedicated research centres* each multi-disciplined and designed to promote and develop research and innovation in their respective fields of expertise.
The Institute for Materials Research & Innovation (IMRI) is the focus of our advanced work in smart materials, auxetic fibres, medical and bio textiles. This is a research centre of excellence recognised by the EPSRC, DTI, European Union and North West Development Agency, as well as having numerous links with major companies and other research intensive universities.
IEC (Institute for Educational Cybernetics) is our research centre for e-learning and technology enhanced learning, which has been recently re-awarded the JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) national contract to lead the development of interoperability systems for the further and higher education sectors.
The Centre for Research for Health & Wellbeing undertakes high quality research which relates to professional agendas and social issues connected to the health and wellbeing of groups and individuals. The research is based upon collaborative partnerships and community involvement. The Centre has expertise in evaluation, needs assessment, service user involvement, participation and innovation.
The Centre for Worktown Studies was established in 2009 to undertake and promote academic research activity around the Humphrey Spender 'Worktown' collection of documentary photographs produced for Mass Observation in the late nineteen-thirties. This collection is held by Bolton Museum and the Centre is jointly established and managed by the University and Bolton Museum and Archive Service.
Each of these centres have formidable reputations, nationally and internationally, for research excellence and in providing solutions to real world problems. Being responsive to the needs of business and industry over a range of sectors means the university is an ideal choice for partners looking to develop products and processes and gain access to expertise, skills and facilities that a professional university has to offer.
