![VR experience London](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-C446F470-7191-4FAF-9F0FDDF7018B0FA5.jpg?itok=l-Jk_2v_)
![VR experience London](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-C446F470-7191-4FAF-9F0FDDF7018B0FA5.jpg?itok=l-Jk_2v_)
Building a brighter future for all
We're exploring how new technologies can improve our ever-complex world
Led by Professor Adrian Hopgood, Professor of Intelligent Systems, our Future and Emerging Technologies research is helping make the world a better place.
Future & Emerging Technologies is one of five thematic areas that are written into the University of СÀ¶ÊÓƵ's Strategy 2025. The Themes support collaboration to extend knowledge and impact in interdisciplinary research, innovation and education.
Interdisciplinarity is the new normal. For example, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) addresses big societal challenges grouped around four core topics – artificial intelligence and data, ageing society, clean growth, and the future of mobility. The Future & Emerging Technologies Theme is contributing to all of them, and it has three priority areas:
- Digital Technologies, including AI (aligned with the UK’s first), extended reality (XR), and quantum technologies
- Space, ranging from cosmology to satellite applications on Earth, aligned with the UK’s first
- Manufacture, materials, and energy, aligned with the UK Government’s plan for a
The goals of the Future & Emerging Technologies Theme are:
- To establish the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ's international reputation as a centre of excellence for future & emerging technologies and their practical application
- To provide non-elitist support for interdisciplinary research & innovation
- To be a driver for economic growth through interdisciplinary research & innovation
- To act as one of five coordinated thematic areas
Theme activities
The Future & Emerging Technologies Theme constantly arranges events and initiatives to develop interdisciplinary research and innovation – here are just some of the areas that have emerged with Theme support.
Space South Central (SSC)
![Arial view of earth](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/shutterstock_1072726052.jpg?h=8e3006ae&itok=PdPoetSJ)
Research areas
Many of the University's research areas cover the areas of Future and Emerging Technologies, including:
Digital and Creative Technologies research
We're fuelling technological advances in animation, visual effects (VFX), cross reality (XR), user experience (UX), computer and video games, and visual computing. Discover the work we do.
![Virtual reality headset](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-B71B2E90-6A8F-4EEB-A7C9CBB1E2AF7B49.jpg?itok=_qKB-_8l)
Health Informatics
We're improving the design of computer systems and wellbeing services to make the delivery of healthcare more efficient and cost-effective, and we're exploring how technology can influence lifestyle choices and reduce health risks.
![vitality health check](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-C8DD5827-C946-4B85-BFD39D25262A496E.jpg?itok=pIvq9n-U)
Computing
We're exploring how computational paradigms and algorithms can be used to make a positive difference in a variety of human-machine systems – and our research in computational intelligence is already making an impact.
![Information systems student reaches into server](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-9D962FF3-7D9D-45AA-B78A0455EFDC1A6F.jpg?itok=smP98vZB)
Civil Engineering
We're working to better understand the increasingly-complex and highly-pressurised nature of modern construction – from the rising prevalence of hybrid technology, to the challenges of managing component supply chains.
![Architecture and surveying design on paper](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-741BCD54-B573-4B4E-97C6C377EB870ED5.jpg?itok=G7d5ozvG)
Operational Research and Logistics
We're researching how we can apply quantitative methodologies to improve decision-making across a range of diverse fields of application.
![Large ship at industrial port, loading containers](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-CD5D2655-76A8-452A-8752D025BC21855E.jpg?itok=hsRUQQxl)
Mechanical and Design Engineering
Explore the work we're doing in Biomedical Engineering and Materials Engineering – our two areas of expertise in Mechanical & Design Engineering research.
![Different shaped metal objects on a counter](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/MechEng1200.jpg?h=8e3006ae&itok=5XxWM12L)
Research features
Explore our features for a snapshot of our recent research work in this research theme.
New algorithm will improve bowel-cancer patient care
![Flags outside QA hospital](/sites/default/files/styles/card_mobile/public/media/images/webimage-0DBF3035-C69F-434F-BED2BD2B9DF4CCC2.jpg?itok=bJ6ge1_Y)
Future and Emerging Technology news
See all theme news![GOTO-North domes on La Palma, with the Andromeda galaxy visible towards the middle of the night sky (28/01/2024). © Krzysztof Ulaczyk](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/IMG_2565-Pano%20small.jpg?itok=9Y6RnT7U)
Citizen science project identifies 20 new astronomical discoveries
![](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/webimage-8F535913-DBE9-4A8D-9B4BD8BF81DFA668.jpg?itok=xr_a4vHX)
New quantum sensing scheme could lead to enhanced high-precision nanoscopic techniques
![STANDARD LICENSE; PLEASE SEE ADDITIONAL ASSET FOR FULL LICENSE TERMS.](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/webimage-C536915E-72DD-481A-9B778827E3CB5F56.jpg?itok=FOTxS7i1)
New research unveils complexities and opportunities in autonomous vehicles for security industry
![Battery technology](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/About_Energy%20battery.jpg?itok=dR3GF5QA)
University enters technology licensing agreement to advance battery modelling
![Battery technology](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/About_Energy%20battery.jpg?itok=dR3GF5QA)
University enters technology licensing agreement to advance battery modelling
Future and Emerging Technology blogs
See all theme blogs![EDITORIAL LICENSE; PLEASE SEE ADDITIONAL ASSET FOR FULL LICENSE TERMS.](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/webimage-C8455246-D9A2-492E-B463B1439B661A71.jpg?itok=wO_grvEZ)
A brief history of AI: how we got here and where we are going
![computing screen with code](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/webimage-E7B54012-59DF-43A9-97AADBAC3D95CB6A.jpg?itok=YnvRYi6z)
US sanctions on Iranian hackers highlight growing concern about the Islamic Republic’s cyberwarriors
![What we take with us game logo](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/sharebanner.png?itok=YNINXFCp)
I created a ‘cosy game’ – and learned how they can change players’ lives
![Student House B Roll Shoot](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/webimage-1D06965C-3D77-4DFF-8247D6FDAAF20588.jpg?itok=tXGmcf25)
How a hybrid heating system could lower your bills and shrink your carbon footprint
![Picture of a robot](/sites/default/files/styles/mini_listing_desktop/public/media/images/possessed-photography-JjGXjESMxOY-unsplash.jpg?itok=bTtof28t)