Leicester announces four new research institutes to drive global research excellence

Our University has announced it is establishing four new research institutes.

The new institutes are an integral part of the Discovery-led Research strand of the University’s Strategic Plan, unveiled in September last year by President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Boyle (pictured).

The four interdisciplinary institutes will build on Leicester’s established strengths in:

• Precision Medicine
• Structural and Chemical Biology
• Space and Earth Observation Science
• Cultural and Media Economies

Professor Paul Boyle said: “Our commitment to discovery is about imaginative new thinking and understanding of the world around us.  These new institutes will bring a renewed focus on our strengths and will bring together colleagues from across the university to grapple with fundamental questions that arise at the intersection of different disciplines. They will drive our global research excellence and will be a key part of our commitment to pioneer a distinctive elite of research-intensive institutions.”

Alongside the directors and co-directors of the new institutes, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise Professor Iain Gillespie has been telling the News Centre what each of the institutes will focus on.

• A feature containing more information about the research institutes is available here
• Local press release
• National press release
• University Hospitals of Leicester press release
• Times Higher Education piece by Professor Iain Gillespie 'Focus on interdisciplinary research or lose out, academics warned'
• University World News article 'A multidisciplinary future for university research'
• Think: Leicester opinion piece by Professor Paul Boyle ''We are striving to create a more balanced research ecosystem to stimulate imaginative thinking'
• 'Diplomat of science' joins Leicester to head up pioneering multidisciplinary research institutes