Research and knowledge exchange

Our university centres for research and knowledge exchange focus on 14 world-shaping disciplines.

Each centre is committed to advancing understanding through research excellence as well as finding opportunities for knowledge exchange with industry and wider society.

They bring together specialist staff, students and partners to make sense of the key challenges and drive progress towards a better world.

Researcher peering through racks of computer equipment

Advanced computational science

Our world-leading theoretical and applied research covers machine intelligence, data science, smart infrastructure, and human-centred computing.
Operator using a 3D printer at Manchester Met

Advanced materials and surface engineering

Developing new materials and innovative processes for sustainable modern manufacturing and transport. Our specialisms include nanotechnology, low carbon fuels and high performance coatings.
Two researchers in discussion at an exhibit

Applied social sciences

Challenging received wisdom about the world and our place in it - whether that’s about crime, youth, gender and sexuality, music, substance misuse, or community.
14 brightly coloured Petri dishes on a lab desk

Bioscience

Helping improve the understanding and treatment of some of Britain’s most prevalent health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke and age-related decline.
A research concentrating on a laptop screen

Business transformations

Helping businesses adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world through new insights into digital technologies, emerging markets and improved operating strategies and practices.
Dame Carol Ann Duffy

Creative writing, English literature and linguistics

Research into writing that goes 'beyond the page'. Our expertise in poetry, the Gothic, writing about places, and linguistics helps drive improvements in cultural life around the world.
Two researchers in discussion in an office

Decent work and productivity

Bringing together specialists in leadership, human resources, organisational behaviour, strategy, entrepreneurship and diversity to help improve workplaces of all sizes.
Wildebeest standing in tall oat grass field in the Masai Mara in Kenya, Africa with a herd crossing in the background

Ecology and environment

Tackling the impact of environmental change on species diversity, ecosystems and biological conservation. The centre includes experts on microbiology and urban environments.
A young boy outside school with his mum

Education and social research

New insights into the theory and practice of teaching and learning, and the impact they can have on childhood, community, technology, literacy and numeracy.
A researcher using lightbox to look at a body scan

Health, psychology and communities

Enhancing the health and wellbeing of people and their communities - with a focus on mental health, stress, ageing, physiotherapy, neuroscience, communications and more.
A statue of John Dalton on the Manchester Met campus

History

Exploring key aspects of British and international history to draw new lessons for the modern world. Our expertise covers identity, belief, conflict, leisure and more.
Research participant being monitored on an exercise bike

Musculoskeletal science and sports medicine

Drawing insights from physiology, psychology, engineering, cell biology and other fields to better understand how people move - after injury, with age and at a high-performance level.
A fashion model stood in front of a classical painting

School of Art research centre

Discovering new social, cultural and economic benefits of creativity through the study and practice of architecture, art, design, media, craft and visual culture.