Our research
If you choose to study
at QMU, you will be
part of an academic
community that is
involved in addressing
real-world issues
through research and
knowledge exchange.
Not only that, our
research activity will
help ensure that your
learning takes account
of the latest thinking,
allowing you to hit the
ground running when
you enter the workforce
or go on to further
study.
Importantly, a high proportion of our staff are research active. This means that our
students often learn directly from academics who are involved in research projects.
Our research impacts directly on quality of life: it builds the evidence for change and
development in policy and practice. This means that we have a real influence on the
bodies that have the power to improve and transform lives and which are major
employers of graduates — government, businesses, healthcare providers, third
sector organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and cultural
organisations.
In 2014, the UK’s most recent national audit of research in higher education, the
Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), showed that over 58% of our research
is world leading or internationally excellent. Amongst the highlights was our success
in Speech and Language Sciences, in which the proportion of research classed as
internationally excellent or world leading is 92%. At the time the results were
published, Times Higher Education singled us out as a ‘notable riser’ in terms of REF
performance.
Some examples of our research and knowledge exchange work:
• Our global health researchers have been looking at how creating child-friendly
spaces in countries affected by conflict can keep children safe, and how refugees
coming to Scotland can integrate better into society. This type of work helps
shape policies of government and NGOs on child education and protection, and
on refugee integration.
• Our nursing staff are involved in research in osteoporosis that is helping to
educate front-line healthcare workers in the moving and handling of patients in
hospital.
• Our speech and language experts are developing technologies to help improve
the speech communication of children with significant speech communication
difficulties.
• Our film and media lecturers are continually developing and researching different
techniques and styles of filming. A number of them are award-winning filmmakers
who have had significant success with showcasing their films on the international
film festival circuit. They have been able to share their new filming techniques with
students, as well as advising them on the process of getting films selected for
screening at film festivals all over the world.
• We have a strong track record in building relationships with businesses,
particularly small and medium-sized local businesses, as well as large national
organisations, which helps us develop research which supports business
development in the UK. Our work with small businesses has also led to a number
of internship opportunities for students. We also work with international partners
including NGOs and academics at universities abroad, to develop collaborative
research with a global reach.
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