Research

Ranking 4th in the UK for research power

This year saw the publication of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results. Our continued focus on world-leading research was reflected by ranking 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education’s REF power ratings), with 90 per cent of our research activity classified as world-leading or internationally excellent.

The University’s research focuses on the future of health and care, futureproofing societies and the planet, and promoting culture and creativity.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 | The University of Edinburg

Tidal turbine blade facility

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The world’s first rapid testing facility for tidal turbine blades opened in May 2022. FastBlade’s pioneering technology will stress test blades made from composite materials, which must withstand harsh ocean conditions for 20 years, more quickly, and using significantly less energy than any other facility of its kind.

Based in Rosyth, Fife, the £4.6 million facility aims to maintain Scotland’s position at the forefront of tidal energy development. FastBlade is supported by a £1.8 million grant from the UK Government, via the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation.

FastBlade - World's First Regenerative Fatigue Test Facility

Major research grants

The receipt of major research grants shows the diversity of our research in this space, including an award of £8 million to the Schools of Geosciences (from the Scottish Government for the Centre of Expertise on Climate Change) and £2.5 million to Health in Social Science (MRC for transformation of urban space for population health).

The Binks Hub

An initiative that will use the arts and creativity to promote social justice in communities was launched by the University in May 2022. The Binks Hub unites academics, artists and communities to develop ideas to redress inequalities and change people’s lives for the better.

It will help inform policy decision-making for some of the most pressing community inequalities, as well as improve the wellbeing of the most marginalized people in Edinburgh and beyond. Activities will also boost opportunities for young people and address disparities in health and wellbeing. The Binks Hub is supported by a charitable trust, Binks Trust.

The Binks Hub – Co-creating research for social change

Investment in lung research

A new multi-million-pound research programme to develop treatments for lung infections such as Covid-19 and future pandemics was announced this year. The Baillie Gifford Pandemic Science Hub will use translational genomics – following clues from the human genome to identify and rapidly test new treatments – with experimental medicine methods to quickly evaluate and develop drugs for lung inflammation and injury caused by infection. It will combine Edinburgh’s world-class ability to determine a person’s genetic predisposition to lung injury with advanced interventional robotics for drug delivery, cutting-edge sensing and sampling technologies and innovative clinical trial design. 

Baillie Gifford is supporting the launch with a philanthropic gift of £14.7 million. The University aims to secure a total of £100 million investment to accelerate discoveries to drive clinical translation in Covid-19 and other human lung diseases, as well as aiding preparedness for future pandemics.

Pandemic Science Hub to fight lung disease