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Making an Impact Since 2007
In Cumbria, Lancashire, and Beyond
The University of Cumbria was established in 2007 to catalyse individual and regional prosperity across Cumbria and Lancashire.
Building upon 150 years of higher education, our reputation for research excellence and innovation is growing: both of which combine to deliver real world benefits for local, national, and international communities, practitioners, and industries. Our research doesn't just impact the wider world, it improves the education of our students through our range of research-connected programmes.
Explore our research themes below and meet the centres and networks committed to transforming lives.
The ‘Innovation Conversation’ is the University of Cumbria’s first podcast series featuring conversations with some of the institution’s leading lights in research and innovation talking passionately about their expertise and motivations. Seven podcasts are available to stream initially via the University of Cumbria’s Spotify channel. Subjects range from the enormous impact insects have on the world to sustainable development lessons from Africa. A taster of the series can be heard here.
Our Research Themes
Centre for Research in Health & Society
As part of the Institute of Health at Cumbria, the Centre for Research in Health & Society (CRiHS) spearehead research into health and wellbeing.
They contribute to the positive transformation of health and social outcomes by driving excellence in research, evaluation, scholarship, and practice.
Explore CRiHS
Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas
Our research into geography and the environment addresses complex local and global challenges; enabling us to develop innovative practices to enhance landscapes and communities.
The Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas (CNPPA) explore a number of internal themes such as, cultural landscapes, conservation, human-nature relations, and rural & visitor economy that link with business and the arts.
Find Out More
Learning, Education and Development Research Centre
Our research in education and outdoor learning focuses on supporting practitioners to publish high quality research that has impact on policy and practice.
The Learning, Education and Development Research Centre (LED) have a number of resources available for educators looking to develop their individual or organisational practice in line with the latest research.
Explore LED
Arts Research Initiative
The Arts Research Initiative works closely with the Institute of Arts to complete research into creative practice.
This research encompasses environmental issues, political landscapes, mythologies, human/non-human interactions, and much more through a range of creative disiplines.
Explore ARI
Business, Leadership & Visitor Economy
Our research into business, leadership and visitor economy is managed by the Centre for Regional Economic Development (CRED) and the Initiative for Leadership and Sustainability (IFLAS).
Our work focuses on regional development, sustainable leadership, project management, and tourism.
Centres & Groups
There are a number of research centres & groups that research topics outside of the above themes..
Child, Youth, Family and Community Network
Teacher Education Advancement Network (TEAN)
Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas/ (CNPPA)
Health & Society Knowledge Exchange (HASKE)
Active Ageing Research Group (AARG)
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Research Impact
The University of Cumbria is committed to creating knowledge that can be applied directly into industry for economic benefit, with practitioners for improvement of key services, and with diverse communities, individuals, and other socio-cultural groups to change lives.
Explore our case studies of research impact.
Policy briefs at Cumbria
Our researchers produce policy briefs on the key challenges facing our communities and environments, providing an evidence base for national and international policy makers.
Find out more
Funded PhD opportunities
The University is pleased to announce it will be funding up to 10 fees-only studentships.
These studentships will be for 3 years FT or 5 years PT, ideally starting in January 2025 or March 2025.
Learn MoreSupport & Guidance
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Contact Our Team
Got a question about research, news, or events?
Get in touch with our team today.
Postgraduate Research Degrees
Looking to take part in world changing research? Realise your ambition with a postgraduate research degree from the University of Cumbria. Whether you're looking to achieve a PhD, MRes degree, Doctorate, or DBA, make a contribution to your field with our world-class support and supervision.
Join the Graduate School and receive support every step of the way, from informal inquiries to the completion of your degree and beyond.
Meet the Graduate SchoolWhat Our PGR Students Have to Say
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![Sue Pemberton, PhD Occupational Therapy]()
Overall I really enjoyed the experience and it has definitely had a positive impact on my career. But what I am most proud of is that my research can make a difference to understanding how to improve the lives of people with a long term condition.
Sue Pemberton, PhD Occupational Therapy
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![Kieran J. Steuart, PhD Politics, Sociology and Economics]()
I most like how as a PhD student there is a wide breadth of reading material which continually increases my academic knowledge. My favourite experience here has been meeting my supervisors as they are very pleasant and moreover have continually helped me advance my academic skills...the experience of being part of the University of Cumbria’s academic community is extremely fulfilling.
Kieran J. Steuart, PhD Politics, Sociology and Economics
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![Melanie Clapham, PhD Conservation Biology]()
I loved the fact that the lecturers worked on research projects internationally within the field of conservation. It totally changed my life in a way in which I never thought possible. I am now working in another country where I get to spend half of my year in the back country of British Columbia studying brown bears and the other half at an inspiring university. I knew I wanted to work with wildlife, preferably large carnivores, but I never imagined that I would be working at this level so soon.
Melanie Clapham, PhD Conservation Biology
