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Sustainability in Research
Ulster University carries out a wide range of research that supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals, tackling global challenges through innovation and collaboration. Working across disciplines and in partnership with industry, government and communities, Ulster's research is making a real impact.
Ulster University Research Strategy 2023-2028
We believe in equality in research, we celebrate diversity and we foster inclusion. We are advancing our national and international reputation for research excellence while simultaneously playing a leading role in the enrichment of the social, economic, and cultural life of Northern Ireland.
Our Five Strategic Research Themes:
- Challenging Inequality and Division
- Building the Sustainable World
- Accelerating Data Futures
- Transforming Health
- Inspiring Creativity and Innovation
Research Projects contributing to Sustainability
The Future Island-Island project is a collaborative initiative focused on Rathlin Island to explore sustainable design, circular economy practices, and community-driven solutions.
Working with partners including Queen’s University Belfast and the Glasgow School of Art, the project combines research, workshops, and events to transform waste, promote sustainable tourism, and engage local communities in building a greener future.
This study warns that the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is increasingly preventing children in Northern Ireland from participating in sport and physical activity. The survey of 855 parents and guardians found that 37 % of children have missed out on activity opportunities due to cost, despite believing sport is important for children’s health and wellbeing. The research calls for urgent policy action to guarantee that all young people can access sports and physical activity.
Ulster University is a key partner in the Land Use for Net Zero Hub, a UK-wide initiative developing evidence-based solutions for sustainable land use to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The university contributes digital tools and data-driven models to inform policy on soil health, carbon sequestration, and renewable energy, helping bridge the gap between research and action on climate change.
Ulster University's research-education collaborative project brings together children from local primary schools to design and build their “town of the future” using LEGO.
Children work in mixed-school teams to create sustainable town designs and demonstrates the power of hands-on, collaborative learning to build community cohesion, encourage creativity, and foster cross-community understanding.
Research Themes contributing to Sustainability
- Energy efficiency in buildings
- Clean conversions of fuels
- Renewable energy
- River hydraulics and hydropower
- Net zero emission buildings and neighbourhoods
- Hydrogen safety
- Regeneration
- Planning
- Transport
- Decarbonisation of construction materials
- Hydraulic scour of river channels
- Geo-polymers
Art and Design
- Addressing environmental issues
- Address sustainability issues
Law
- Social security law and policy
- Poverty
- Citizenship and human rights
- Human trafficking
Social & Policy Sciences
- Social rights and justice
- Community transformation
- Environmental change
- Conservation
- Food and water security
Learning, modelling, and optimisation for:
- Ecological networks
- Energy
- Environment
