New LIFD report celebrates five years of world-leading fluid dynamics research and innovation
The Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics (LIFD) has published its five-year report, highlighting its successes, growth, and international impact since its launch in late 2018.
Fluid dynamics – the study of how liquids and gases move – influences almost every sector of society. They help us develop cleaner transport and energy systems, understanding how diseases are spread, predict extreme weather, and assist in modelling climate change, making it an essential tool to respond to the world’s most pressing challenges.
As the UK’s only dedicated institute for fluid dynamics, LIFD brings together more than 300 staff and students across the University of Leeds. Their expertise ranges from fundamental mathematics and modelling to experimental and data-driven approaches, covering scales from microscopic flows in healthcare technologies to industrial-scale applications in energy and transport.
A remarkable five-year journey
“Five Years of LIFD: A Reflection” highlights how it has shaped both national and international agendas. Its landmark Our Fluid Nation report drew attention to the £13.9 billion UK fluid dynamics industry – employing 45,000 people across the UK – which helped to secure major national funding initiatives, including the EPSRC National Fellowships in Fluid Dynamics scheme.
In research, the institute has delivered breakthroughs in areas such as climate and weather forecasting, clean energy, health and medicine, and advanced manufacturing. Its global reach is evident in more than 3,400 publications, 61% of which are co-authored with international collaborators, with over £240 million of research funding secured.
Education is another area of strength. LIFD hosts the UK’s only Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Fluid Dynamics, recently renewed for a second time. By 2028, more than 160 PhD students will have been trained through the programme, with many already enjoying important positions in both academia and industry.
The institute has also forged strategic partnerships with organisations including the Met Office, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and Nanjing University, while inspiring the public through outreach projects such as Maths City exhibits, the Wetropolis flood demonstrator, and a FutureLearn online course, engaging with over 10,000 school children and members of the public.
Professor Stephen Belcher, Chief Scientist at the Met Office, delivered a keynote talk for LIFD's fifth birthday celebrations.
Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, said: “In just five years, LIFD has become one of the world’s leading centres for fluid dynamics research and teaching. It has raised the UK’s profile globally, influenced policy, and driven innovation across industry and society. The University is proud to support its continued growth and impact in the years ahead.”
Professor Steve Tobias, LIFD’s founding director, said: “When we launched LIFD, we couldn’t have predicted the scale of what we’d achieve. We’ve become a world-leading hub for fluid dynamics, influencing policy, driving innovation, and training the next generation of experts who will shape the future of this field.”
Looking ahead
The next five years will see LIFD expand its global reach, strengthening industry and international partnerships, and establishing a new Data Driven Fluid Dynamics Centre. This will act as a focal point for advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and high-performance computing in the field.
