Research

Our research is at the forefront of detecting airborne biological threats in the air – such as viruses and bacteria. These invisible threats can spread illness, damage food supplies, and harm the environment. Our Biodetection Technologies Hub brings together experts in science, engineering, and AI. Backed by a £13.5m grant, the Hub is enabling earlier, more informed responses to emerging biological threats – helping to build safer communities and a more resilient planet. 

Despite Hertfordshire’s pivotal role in global film and TV, its cinematic heritage is often overlooked and frequently mistaken for Hollywood. At its peak, five of the highest‑grossing films of the decade were made at Elstree. Our research captures the rich history of Hertfordshire’s film studios through interviews with filmmakers, both on and off screen. Preserving these stories is vital to understanding how British creativity and innovation have influenced generations of audiences worldwide. Supported by our students, local partners, and our Heritage Hub, we are creating a living archive and digitising historic studio sites to safeguard this cultural heritage for the future.​ 

Professor of maternal health and criminal justice Laura Abbott, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council, works with charity Birth Companions and women who have experienced separation from their babies while incarcerated. Together, they created the Lost Mothers Project to expose the realities of pregnancy, motherhood, and maternal separation in prison. The project uncovers systemic delays, limited access to Mother and Baby Units, and gaps in staff training – our research prompted a call in Parliament and provided evidence that is driving policy change, improving support for women and babies across the justice system. 

Behind major scientific breakthroughs are people driven to solve problems that affect everyday life. In respiratory science, this means finding safer ways to understand how our lungs respond to the thousands of chemicals we breathe each day. For decades, testing relied on animal models, which often produced results that were less accurate, slower, and ethically challenging. Our researchers have closed that gap by developing advanced models that mimic how real human tissue behaves. These innovations are reshaping the future of product safety testing, giving companies clearer, faster answers without the need for animal testing.

Hertfordshire, home to five major film and TV studios such as Warner Bros, Leavesden and Elstree Studios, is a leading production hub where industry and education come together. We strengthen this connection by replicating professional film and TV studios, giving students direct access to real production environments and film and TV experts while helping them build vital connections across the film industry. With the sector facing high demand for skilled workers, our courses ensure students experience the pace, pressure, and excitement of life behind the camera – whether building sets, running sound, experimenting with lighting, or shaping stories in post‑production. 

With our support and expertise, businesses and future innovators can turn bold ideas into real-world impact. We provide tailored guidance, sector insight, and access to modern facilities that help businesses strengthen their workforce and accelerate innovation. Focusing on areas such as healthcare, science, medicine, technology, screen arts and advanced materials and manufacturing, we offer hands-on support and mentoring to help entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses transform ambitious ideas into scalable solutions with real industrial and societal impact.

Harnessing astrophysics expertise developed at the University, we are transforming how industries understand and manage land. Effective land management is essential for food security, sustainable development, and climate resilience, yet the data behind it is often difficult to interpret. Techniques once used to study distant galaxies are now helping us translate vast amounts of information into clear, usable insights. By revealing new insights and possibilities, our research equips businesses, governments, and innovators with the precision, foresight, and confidence to tackle land‑related challenges and shape a more resilient future. 

We have become a powerhouse of motorsport talent. By combining teaching excellence, industry partnerships, and hands-on experience, we’ve created a pipeline of graduates driving innovation in F1 and beyond. The presence of our graduates across all British F1 teams highlights our proven excellence in preparing engineers for the highest levels of performance. As motorsport evolves – embracing sustainability, electrification, and new technologies – our graduates remain at the forefront, ensuring excellence defines both the University and the industry. 

We’re driving our nurses and healthcare professionals to not only provide exceptional care, but to also serve as mentors, guiding and shaping the future of the profession. They pass on their knowledge through teaching, supervision, and leadership in clinical settings, ensuring that future generations inherit both technical excellence and a culture of compassion. By modelling resilience, innovation, and collaborative care, our graduates inspire students and colleagues alike, creating a ripple effect that strengthens healthcare systems locally and nationally.

We’re proud to deliver leaders who make the Top 100, shaping industries and driving innovation. By working closely with business, for business, we ensure our graduates are equipped with the skills, vision, and resilience to thrive. Through real-world projects, expert teaching, and strong industry partnerships, we nurture talent that not only succeeds but also inspires. As a result, our alumni lead with impact, transforming organisations across sectors, in the UK and globally.

We nurture talent and connect students with the creative industries. Students take on live briefs, develop strong portfolios, and create pathways into their future careers. With cutting-edge facilities, creativity is refined and celebrated through collaboration, innovation and shared experiences, preparing graduates to shape the future of storytelling. Our School of Creative Arts is ranked 1st in the UK and 16th globally (The Rookies, 2024), with courses taught by practicing professionals and shaped with partners like Warner Bros and Sony.