Research and Innovation
The scale of global waste
Engineering X, a new collaboration founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and funding bodies, has shown the sheer volume of solid waste being burned worldwide is a serious health risk
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Antimicrobial pollution
Professors Cath Noakes and Barara Evans are among our researchers tackling the growing global crisis of resistance to antibiotics and other anti-infective drugs
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Green concrete alternatives
Our researchers are developing low-carbon cements with the aim of achieving reduced CO2 emissions from infrastructure
Find out moreResearch and innovation
Research in the School of Civil Engineering contributes to delivering the infrastructure that we all rely on in everyday life. We have an ethos of working at the interfaces with other disciplines to tackle key societal and technical challenges, and our research has an impact at a global scale.
We have strong partnerships within the University of Leeds, including long-standing collaborations with the Institute for Transport Studies and the Centre for Global Development and a leadership role in two major initiatives: water@leeds, an interdisciplinary centre for water research; and Cities, a University-wide research theme.
2nd
in the UK for research power
Latest Research Excellence Framework
Over 40
academic and research staff
working with over 90 PhD researchers to deliver high-impact research
85%
of research activity is
‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent' latest REF
Our research
Cities and Infrastructure
As environmental and human pressure on urban spaces increases we will need urban infrastructure that is both sustainable and resilient. This is the focus of research within Cities and Infrastructure.
More on Cities and InfrastructureEnergy and Sustainable Buildings
We're addressing the key challenges of developing and maintaining buildings which can be operated sustainably and provide healthy environments that contribute to our wellbeing.
More on Energy and Sustainable BuildingsWater, Public Health and Environmental Engineering
The relationships between civil infrastructure, human health and the environment are at the heart of the work in the Water, Public Health and Environmental Engineering theme.
More on Water, Public Health and Environmental EngineeringMaterials and Structures
We're driven by the need for sustainable infrastructure now and in the future. We develop materials, processes and systems that show excellent performance under environmental and human stressors.
More on Materials and StructuresResearch centres
Institute for High Speed Rail and System Integration
We're developing one of the most advanced centres in the world for high speed rail planning, design and manufacturing. It's the UK's first research centre for high speed rail and system integration.
More on Institute for High Speed Rail and System IntegrationCentre for Infrastructure Materials
Using state-of-the-art facilities, we study the ageing of a suite of materials, from the ubiquitous concrete, steel and masonry through to novel bioplastics and carbon-neutral geopolymer cements.
More on Centre for Infrastructure MaterialsNeville Centre of Excellence in Cement and Concrete Engineering
We bring together academics and industry to drive research-led education in cement and concrete. We develop links between experts in nano- and micro-structure, and in long-term macroscale performance.
More on Neville Centre of Excellence in Cement and Concrete EngineeringResearch degrees
Studying for a PhD will be a journey that will stimulate your passion for your subject and push you to reach your potential.
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Knowledge transfer
Working with business
We specialise in helping your business to thrive, grow, and innovate by giving you access to our research expertise, training and facilities.
More on Working with businessAccess our facilities
Our researchers use a range of cutting-edge facilities, from public health laboratories to full-scale testing rigs.
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