Our Research
Our mission
USW’s research is aimed at making a difference in the real world, changing lives, and the world, for the better. From our founding institution, the Newport Mechanic’s Institute almost 200 years ago, the focus has always been on addressing societal needs, not just by widening access into higher education, but by using research for real industrial solutions.
Our research provides solutions to the challenges faced by society and the economy, with researchers working across disciplines to help businesses, communities, and policy makers benefit from their research outputs. We have particular strengths in our four core areas of health and well-being, policing and security, to the creative industries and sustainable environment.
In the results of the REF 2021 almost two thirds of the USW researchers submitted to REF 2021 have research that has been categorised as world leading or internationally excellent (4* or 3*) and USW is now fourth in Wales for impact (up from 8th in 2014, based on 4* / 3*) with 81% of USW’s research impact being classed as world leading or internationally excellent (4* / 3*).