University News Last updated 17 August 2009
Birmingham City University is to invest an additional £3million over the next three years to enhance research. This is on top of the existing £10m that is already allocated.
The University is building on current areas of research excellence and is extending into key new areas: business, innovation and enterprise; criminology; design and creative industries; digital participation and technology; education; fine art; health, social care & well being; low carbon and sustainability; and music and performance.
Professor David Maguire, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research said: "These areas were selected for the focus of our research because they reflect global, national and regional priorities, align with University's corporate strategy, and also capitalise on the existing strengths of Birmingham City University. Our strategy is to work in areas that will deliver the biggest impacts."
"We have already had considerable research success and we actively work with a range of local and national enterprises to apply and disseminate new knowledge, inventions and creative works. For example, we have the highest number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships of any University in the country. This new funding signals an increased commitment to research, however the University will continue to provide high quality teaching and retain and improve links with employers in the community."
In March, Birmingham City University had its research funding more than doubled as a reward for an outstanding performance in a national audit of research excellence. The award of nearly £1.8 million per year by HEFCE followed the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE-2008) which revealed that the University had world-leading research in all subject areas submitted for review. In addition, the University's submission contained the largest percentage of world-leading research of any modern university. The RAE-2008 ranked Art and Design at Birmingham City University in the top 10 in the country and listed Birmingham Conservatoire, which is part of the University, as in the UK's top three. Last September, the Times Higher Education magazine named the University as the most ‘in demand' higher education institution in the country. Official figures showed there was an increase of 35.6% in applications compared to a national average of 8%.(1)
Notes for Editors
(1) Compiled by the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) - place Birmingham City University as leader in a top ten of in demand universities compiled by Times Higher Education.