With a long history of invention dating back to the Industrial Revolution, Newcastle continues to lead the way in research as a ‘living lab’ for rapid demonstration and commercialisation of products and services that address health and social inequalities.
At the forefront of this work are Russell Group Newcastle University and Times Higher Education’s University of the Year for 2022, Northumbria University – academic institutions with a global reputation for research excellence and innovation. Nearby Durham University is also at the top of the global league tables and a member of the QS World University Rankings Top 100.
One of the city’s epicentres of innovation is the ground-breaking Newcastle Helix, a 24-acre urban cluster of businesses and academics that has become one of the most significant innovation hubs in Europe.
The collaborative environment encourages cross-disciplinary partnerships and knowledge exchange, driving advancements across various sectors. Collectively, the five North East universities share the largest concentration of researchers in the UK, outside of London.
This confluence of intellectual capital creates a Northern Research Powerhouse, where new ideas and discoveries take shape, including medical breakthroughs in rare disease, gene therapy, transplantation, fertility, cancer and neurodegeneration.
As a research destination, Newcastle is building commercial facilities, resources and infrastructure to nurture knowledge-based start-ups and university spinouts, while ensuring an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive.
Beyond investment, Newcastle is investing in a research and innovation powerhouse, with leading universities and urban districts to power discovery and industries of the future, in an open and collaborative ecosystem.
