Research and innovation

Our research

In the School of Design, we bring together creativity and innovation to explore new ideas and create new products.

Alongside fundamental design and technology research, we’re committed to solving real-world problems and providing solutions through the use of advanced technologies, design thinking, and creativity.

Research centres

Our academic staff are also involved with a number of collaborative research centres.

LITAC is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary research institute addressing global challenges in colour, fashion and textiles through research and innovation, as well as teaching.

More on Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC)

A creative practice-led research network bringing together artists, academics and researchers who specialise in landscape and place orientated art practice.

More on LAND2

A world-leading interdisciplinary centre for water research bringing together expertise from a wide range of academic disciplines to tackle global water issues.

More on Water @ Leeds

Making an impact

Our researchers work extensively with industry to ensure our research brings the highest tangible impact to society and culture. Our impact work has four inconnected themes.

Creativity, innovation, commemoration, memorialisation, revitalisation. Our academics work to enrich culture globally.

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As a school consisting of designers, inventors and creators we are uniquely positioned to offer real-world, direct economic impact and critical examination of the economic effects of design.

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Environmental sustainability is a major focus for our research across the School, especially related to the textile and fashion industries.

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Applications of our research to improving health and wellbeing reaches from our cutting edge textile and colour technologies work, to visual communications and experience design.

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