Welcome to the latest edition of our Research and Knowledge Exchange Magazine and the chance to reflect on the strength, ambition and impact of our research community.
It comes at a defining moment for higher education. The challenges facing our sector are significant, demanding resilience, adaptability and a willingness to think differently. The University of Brighton has always been a place of bold ambition and we are more committed than ever to creating new opportunities for our students, staff, partners and communities.
The stories that follow demonstrate our commitment to research with purpose and impact. Our innovations in health (section 04), sustainability (section 05) and society (section 06) continue to attract national attention, demonstrating the growing influence of our research beyond academia. Whether informing public policy, supporting professional practice or inspiring public debate, our work reflects our determination to create knowledge that delivers meaningful benefit for people, places and the planet.
That commitment is exemplified by the journey of FakeMedSensor (section 09). From customer engagement across multiple countries and competitive funding success to industry partnerships, media interest and preparations for a potential University of Brighton spin-out, it demonstrates how research can move beyond the laboratory to solve real-world problems. It is a compelling example of how commercialisation enables innovative ideas to reach the people and organisations that need them most, creating social, health and economic impact.
Our success is built on collaboration. This edition reflects on another successful Research and Knowledge Exchange Week (section 11), an annual highlight that continues to inspire colleagues, spark new ideas and strengthen our research culture. I encourage everyone to save the dates for next year's programme and take advantage of the opportunities it provides to connect, collaborate and learn from one another.
Partnership remains central to how we create impact. The final cohort of Ignite projects (section 16) builds on a programme that has become synonymous with civic partnership and community-led research. By bringing together academic expertise and local insight, we continue to demonstrate how co-produced research can address local priorities while generating knowledge with national and international significance at the same time. It is research in action: responsive, collaborative and delivering tangible benefits for our communities.
Behind every breakthrough are talented, dedicated people. Throughout this edition, we celebrate colleagues at every stage of their careers, from our Early Career Researchers (section 17) and Postgraduate Researchers (section 21) to an academic leading pioneering work on cleaner, greener energy systems (section 27). We also showcase the vital role of our Centres of Research Excellence. Discover how the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices (section 25) is improving health outcomes through internationally recognised research in wound healing and regenerative physiotherapy, and learn about our new Centre for Spatial and Social Justice (Section 26), which brings together expertise from across the university to challenge inequalities across social, cultural, material, digital and imagined spaces in relation to issues including migration, inequality, digital inclusion and social justice. Together, our centres provide an environment where ideas flourish, networks grow and the next generation of researchers can thrive.
Alongside these achievements, preparations for the next Research Excellence Framework (REF) continue in earnest. While UK Research and Innovation has provided greater clarity, we look forward to the publication of the final guidance and assessment criteria for REF 2029 in the autumn. Whatever the final framework, our ambition remains unchanged: to produce outstanding research and knowledge exchange that creates lasting benefit for society and changes lives. Every contribution made across our university helps to enhance the vibrant, inclusive research culture that underpins our future success.
Of course, every research discovery begins with people who are curious enough to ask difficult questions and committed enough to pursue the answers. I am grateful to everyone for your continued contributions and commitment. Our future will be shaped not simply by the challenges we face, but by the ideas we pursue, the partnerships we build and the difference we make together. We will continue to turn curiosity into discovery, discovery into impact, and impact into lasting change for the communities we serve.
With best wishes,
Professor Rusi Jaspal, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange)
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