Innovation and impact

Our researchers are making life-changing discoveries, developing new innovations and technologies and solving the world’s complex challenges. Working collaboratively with partners locally and globally, we are working at the frontiers of knowledge on research with real impact.

REF2021-Boeing

Boeing Sheffield - a first for Europe

In 2016, Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company, initiated a major research and development programme with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) to develop new manufacturing techniques capable of underpinning the business case for Boeing’s first production facility in Europe.

Creating value for local economies

audio waves

The rise and impact of voice recognition technology

In 2018, Sheffield launched the Centre for Speech and Language Technology, a joint research centre with VoiceBase, a major US provider of voice data analytics services to companies operating large call centres.

Bringing a competitive edge

REF2021-online-abuse

Truth and trust: combating disinformation and abuse on social media

Sheffield’s big data analytics has probed the veracity, sentiment and sharing patterns of social media posts and exposed the ways in which social media can be used and abused to shape opinions about significant political and societal events.

Fighting against the misuse of social media

REF2021-eyesight

Making saving eyesight simple

Sheffield’s innovative research, integrating tissue culture techniques with ocular surgery, has led to a new treatment for blindness, caused by ocular burns, called Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplant (SLET).

Creating accessible treatments

REF2021-siemens-gamesa

Harnessing wind power with Siemens Gamesa

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) is the global leader in offshore wind power generation, with greater than 70% market share. It credits Sheffield as having had a significant impact on its strategy and innovation capacity.

Creating more efficient sustainable energy

REF2021-water

Solving the UK’s number one water quality complaint

On average, customers report over 90 per cent satisfaction with their water supplies. Yet drinking water discolouration is the number one cause of customer complaints. Understanding the root causes of discolouration will help us to improve the quality of our water distribution networks and revolutionise the industry.

Revolutionising industry procedures