Research and Innovation
Research and Innovation

Research excellence
Leeds is recognised as a global centre for research in the arts and humanities, achieving 60th in the world for Arts and Humanities (QS World Rankings by Subject 2020) and with a consistent record of performing exceptionally in UK measures of quality, excellence and impact. As one of the largest and most diverse arts and humanities faculty in the UK, our research projects range widely by period, geography and theme but are united by their focus on innovation, academic rigour and global reach.
- School of Design
- School of English
- School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies
- School of History
- School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
- School of Media and Communication
- School of Music
- School of Performance and Cultural Industries
- School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science
- Institute for Medieval Studies
- Inter-discplinary Ethics Applied Centre
School of Design

We are committed to interdisciplinary research across all areas of Design from investigating the latest trends to developing new design ideas to benefit society.
MoreSchool of English

Our research interests span centuries, cross continents, and bridge disciplines. We blend theory with practice, and work closely with both subject areas across the University and cultural organisations nationwide.
MoreSchool of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies

Our research brings together the studies and practice of fine art, art history, cultural studies, and museums, galleries and heritage.
MoreSchool of History

As a large and diverse School, our research span is broad. Our research covers a wide range of historical periods, geographies and themes.
MoreSchool of Languages, Cultures and Societies

We conduct world-leading research into human languages, cultures, and societies past and present.
MoreSchool of Media and Communication

We're a leading centre for media and communications research, collaborating with academic institutions, the public sector and media industries, both in the UK and across the globe.
MoreSchool of Music

We bring together scholars, performers, and composers. Our research clusters provide a creative academic context for PhD student supervision, collaborative research and impact building, and they also identify key themes within our research: Music as Culture; Music and Science and Making Music.
MoreSchool of Performance and Cultural Industries

Our research takes a critical and applied approach to exploring the role that performance and the arts play in the creative, cultural and social aspects of society.
MoreSchool of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science

Our researchers form a strong and diverse community and work with a wide range of organisations from global organisations to community groups.
MoreInstitute for Medieval Studies

We undertake a wide range of interdisciplinary research spanning the middle ages and encompassing a variety of key themes.
MoreInter-discplinary Ethics Applied Centre

Our diverse interests and professional connections enable us to produce research of immediate and global relevance.
More
Working across disciplines
With world-leading researchers, and world-class archives and facilities, we generate innovative, intellectually and socially significant research within a wide spectrum of disciplines, and across an exceptionally strong range of interdisciplinary strengths
Culture Theme
Leeds is committed to working across disciplines to help tackle global challenges in areas including culture. Find out more about how the Faculty views global challenges through a cultural lens.
Impact
We conduct interdisciplinary and impact-orientated quality research to address challenges at regional, national and global levels. To achieve this our research is user-led and solutions focused, driven by the needs of our partners and stakeholders.
Explore our research projects to find out more
Read a selection of case studies that demonstrate the impact of research undertaken across the Faculty.
Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institute
The Institute exists to strengthen and enrich the intellectual life of the University's Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures. We create opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary work for researchers at every stage of their careers. We achieve this by hosting seminar series, supporting emerging research projects and fostering public events on campus.
Cultural Institute
The Cultural Institute has three main aims: to increase pioneering research collaborations with creative sector partners, to widen cultural engagement and participation and to build the skills of our students.
We thrive on ideas from the creative and cultural sector and nurture partnership between arts professionals, researchers and students from all disciplines.
Research Excellence Framework
In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), the impact of research carried out in all schools within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures were rated as either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Our high research ratings enable us to continue to recruit the best research staff and students, invest in our facilities and continue to build links with industry and research partners in the UK and overseas.
Research excellence recognised
In 2016-17 our Faculty’s excellence in research was reflected in a high success rate in Arts and Humanities Research Council awards. Nationally, Leeds was:
1st
for the number of applications
1st
for the number of awards
3rd
for the value of awards (over £3 million)