Research in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment

The  College of Arts, Technology and Environment (CATE) has a vibrant research culture, supporting a large range of exciting and impactful research across all our subject areas. Funded by a range of external funding bodies, our research impacts on industry and society, and enriches the experience of our students.

Research centres

Bristol Centre for Linguistics

The Bristol Centre for Linguistics (BCL) brings together researchers who are committed to understanding how language is organised socially, culturally and mentally.

Centre for Architecture and Built Environment Research

Developing innovative approaches, procedures, technologies and techniques that support the design, management, reconfiguration, maintenance and operation of buildings, their fabric and the environments they create.

Centre for Machine Vision

Part of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL), we solve real-world practical computer vision problems. Our particular excellence lies in 3D reconstruction and surface inspection.

Centre for Print Research

Aiming to innovate, contemplate and understand all aspects of fine print, from developing new inks and 3D printable ceramic materials to disruptive printing technologies and collaborating with international artists.

Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments

The Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments (SPE) aims to develop understanding of how to achieve places that are environmentally sustainable, socially just and economically competitive.

Centre for Transport and Society

Our aim is to improve and promote understanding of the inherent links between lifestyles and personal travel in the context of continuing social and technological change.

Centre for Water, Communities and Resilience

The Centre for Water, Communities and Resilience (CWCR) brings together established inter-disciplinary teams working on different national and international water security initiatives at UWE Bristol.

Computer Science Research Centre

The Computer Science Research Centre (CSRC) research activities cover many of the facets of 21st century computer science, from artificial intelligence to graphene sensors for IoT applications.

Digital Cultures Research Centre

An open and collaborative network of critical thinkers and doers. We interrogate, articulate and create practical approaches to responsible technological futures.

Regional History Centre

We promote research about the history of Britain's South Western counties and in the understanding of regionalism as a dynamic force in the shaping of the domestic and international past.

Research groups

Air Quality Management Resource Centre

Widely recognised by air quality and carbon management practitioners, nationally and internationally, as a leading provider of information, advice, research and consultancy.

Bristol Photography Research Group

A multidisciplinary network that is dedicated to exploring a broad understanding of photographic practices and the complex role photography plays in contemporary society.

Creative Technologies Lab

An interdisciplinary research group that spans and intersects computer science and the creative arts with the aim of creating and evaluating seamless interfaces between people and technology.

Document and Location Research Group

We investigate how our understanding of place is directly formed through how locations are recorded and subsequently narrated by different disciplines, and how the identity of place is created through its representation.

Engineering, Modelling and Simulation Group

Bringing academics and researchers together to carry out high quality research in key engineering fields by applying modern and advanced modelling and simulation techniques.

Global and Transnational History Group

Consisting of historians conducting research across a broad geographic span, largely in the modern period.

Mathematics and Statistics Research Group

A research group that aims to deliver internationally excellent mathematics research, develop research collaboration and apply its research to outstanding learning.

Moving Image Research Group

Representing the full range of moving image research, including media industries, screen cultures, media politics and activism, genre, stardom and performance, and screen media practice research.

Robotics Engineering And Computing for Healthcare (REACH)

Research into robotics technologies, intelligent sensors and machine learning to realise person-focused innovative healthcare solutions.

Unconventional Computing Laboratory

We employ complex dynamics in physical, chemical and biological media to design novel computational techniques, architectures and working prototypes of non-linear media based computers.

Visual Culture Research Group

A group of cross-disciplinary art and design practitioners, historians and theorists interested in visuality and visual culture, with the intention to generate new knowledge and innovative methodologies.

Institutes and more

Bristol Robotics Laboratory

The most comprehensive academic centre for multi-disciplinary robotics research in the UK. The lab is a collaborative partnership between the UWE Bristol and the University of Bristol, home to a vibrant community of over 300 academics, researchers and industry practitioners.

Institute of Bio-Sensing Technology

Industry and academia working together to develop novel bio-sensing technologies.

Science Communication Unit

The Science Communication Unit (SCU) is internationally renowned for its diverse and innovative activities, designed to engage the public with science.

WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments

Promoting healthy and sustainable settlements through research, teaching, consultancy, knowledge exchange and publications. We work closely with municipalities, planning consultancies and health authorities in the UK, as well as with the wider WHO European Healthy Cities network.

Research themes

Geosciences

This research theme brings together natural sciences perspectives on key sustainability and resilience challenges relating to river and coasts, rock weathering and stone heritage, hydrogeology, sedimentology and volcanism.

Civil Engineering

UWE Bristol research and knowledge exchange related to sustainability and climate change resilience includes work on structural engineering, materials science, geotechnics, flood and coastal defence and water quality engineering.

UWE Bristol is a university in which maintaining and extending research strength is one of our key priorities. Our emphasis is on ‘research with impact’ – research which contributes to knowledge, which enriches teaching and learning and which impacts upon the world beyond academia.

The College of Arts, Technology and Environment (CATE) has a well-established and continuously developing research environment.

We have a strong track record of securing prestigious research grants from national research councils as well as research and consultancy from the UK government, the European Union and a wide range of clients in the private, public and voluntary sectors.

Our intention is to continue to enhance our reputation for conducting research which is of direct relevance to industry, society and the environment and which combines academic excellence with relevance to policy and practice. You can read how our research is changing your world.

Also see research ethics - UWE Bristol's commitment to conducting research to the highest possible standards.

We hope the information provided is helpful to you, but please get in touch if you would like to know more.

Professor Elena Marco
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College
College of Arts, Technology and Environment
E-mail: Elena.Marco@uwe.ac.uk

Professor Jessica Lamond
College Dean of Research and Enterprise
College of Arts, Technology and Environment
E-mail: Jessica.Lamond@uwe.ac.uk

Research by school