Areas of research
We have a strong and growing research profile, with many funded projects as well as a large community of researchers. Our work focuses on UK and European research initiatives, the current and future needs of our taught programmes, and the interests (and needs) of business and our local community. We work closely with the regional Software City initiative, which is based in Sunderland. .There are four areas of research carried out within the Digital Innovation research beacon each led by a senior academic researcher. These are:
- Big Data - which focuses on novel techniques for managing and discovering knowledge in enormous data sets
- Technology-Enhanced Living - which focuses on effectively incorporating technology into all aspects of everyday-life and evaluating the impact of digital technologies at a personal level
- Informatics for Business and Manufacturing - which focuses on digital technology use within organisations to support business and manufacturing innovation and enable new business models
- Energy Efficient and Safe Vehicles - which focuses on the complementary areas of energy efficient vehicles and vehicle safety (including vehicle-human interactions and vehicle crashworthiness)
Big Data is predominantly focused on research within in the computing domain whilst Energy Efficient and Safe Vehicles is within the engineering domain. Technology-Enhanced Living and Informatics for Business and Manufacturing are multi-disciplinary, drawing from subject expertise in computing, psychology and engineering.
Much of our research in engineering and low carbon technology is carried out in the Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP). AMAP is a research and reach-out centre providing assistance to industry. It has five main areas of activity:
- Digital engineering technologies
- Low carbon vehicles
- Advanced maintenance
- Human factors
- Logistics
See our current projects pages for more examples of beacon research. Our staff profiles also list past, current and future projects for each individual member of staff.