Reading research is part of a worldwide network. We actively seek opportunities to use and share our research and resources to boost innovation in industry and the public sector. We have particular innovation strengths in the built environment, food and nutrition, agriculture, climate, health, social science and computational sciences. Our researchers have partnerships at local, national and global levels with academia, business, research organisations and government.
Global collaboration
WORK WITH US
Knowledge Transfer Centre - seeks opportunities for businesses to access to University of Reading research and resources in order to boost innovation in industry.
Thames Valley Science Park - provides support and specialist facilities to start-ups and larger companies in the Thames Valley among Europe's largest group of high-tech businesses.
Our Innovation Centres
Agrimetrics - advances development and adoption of new technologies in the agri-food sector, and provides expertise in areas such as data science and bioinformatics in crops, livestock, food and sustainability.
EIT Food - we are a leading partner of this 50-member EU-funded knowledge innovation community (KIC) aiming to transform the way we produce, distribute and consume food in Europe.
Institute for Environmental Analytics - develops the technologies and skills needed to translate environmental research into commercially relevant solutions to climate change.
shaping agricultural policy
Agriculture policy decisions, including a replacement for the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, are being informed by an annual survey of financial data from 1,750 farms across England, collected by a consortium of universities including Reading.
The annual Farm Business Survey (FBS) is the main piece of government research in evaluating all aspects of the economics of agriculture and horticulture in England. The FBS covers all types and sizes of farm and horticultural businesses. It is the most representative and independent survey of farm incomes of its kind.
Its results inform farmers and growers, the agricultural and horticultural industries, government, the EU and the general public about the economic state of farmers’ and growers’ businesses and helps to inform policy decisions. Financial data are collected from 1,750 farms across England.
weather forecasting innovation
Through a 40-year partnership with The European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) we are advancing understanding of weather and climate, training the next generation of climate scientists and making a real-world impact on the humanitarian aid response to extreme weather events.
The University is advancing innovations in weather, climate, earth observation and data assimilation science through a diverse range of research programmes, knowledge exchange activities and external partnerships. Working together for over 40 years, the University’s partnership with ECMWF is one of our most valued.
In 2019, 35 live joint projects including large European Union projects have enabled the latest Reading research to support ECMWF’s work as the world-leading centre for medium-range weather forecasting (forecasts of weather three to ten days ahead).
A Healthy Partnership
Feeding innovation
We are a major food and nutrition research university, with the connections, impact and facilities to improve the world’s food system.
The University’s Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health (IFNH) coordinates our interaction with EIT Food, a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) that seeks to transform the way in which we produce, distribute and consume food throughout Europe to improve consumer confidence and health.
Reading academics are collaborating with industry and research partners and other universities across the EU in 28 new research, communication and education projects for 2019.
Safer medical devices
A new family of biomaterials for use in medical devices has been created thanks to a collaboration between the University of Reading and BioInteractions Ltd.
The materials include a new agent to prevent a condition in which blood vessels narrow, leading to restricted blood flow.
BioInteractions wanted to develop a material which was biocompatible – not rejected or responded to by the body’s immune system body – and which could be applied to coatings of medical devices used internally. These devices include drug-eluting stents (scaffolds inserted into diseased blood vessels, which slowly release drugs to stop the vessel narrowing).
PIONEERING PREBIOTICS
A new prebiotic product that boosts 'good' gut bacteria and helps prevent travellers' diarrhoea has been developed by a Reading team of food and nutrition scientists.
Gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease are common. Some experts believe a lack of ‘good’ bacteria in the gut is partly to blame. These microbes also help us fight off infection, and are implicated in other processes including sleep and brain function. But to thrive they need a healthy gut environment.
Prebiotics are fuels for the good bacteria in our guts, allowing them to grow and multiply. Unlike probiotics (products that actually contain 'good' bacteria), prebiotics are unaffected by heat or the ravages of passing through our bodies.
Shedding new light on catalysts
CPD Resources for NHS
A partnership between the University of Reading and local firm Red Whale is ensuring General Practitioners in the UK receive clinical updates and online resources to enable them to respond to the Coronavirus.
Red Whale, a company based in the University’s Enterprise Centre, provides medical CPD (continuing professional development) for half of the UK’s GPs.
Access to Red Whale’s online learning portal is normally only available to members. However, as NHS frontline staff work under incredible pressure to care for those infected with the Coronavirus, Red Whale is providing free online resources and updates known as ‘Pearls’. As well as covering many other medical topics, Pearls deliver vital information and up-to-date procedural advice from Government on the virus enabling GPs to provide patients with the best care.
Doing business better
Sharing the benefits of research
Sustainable development
The University of Reading has a long history of global development research and action, which started in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development in the 1950s.
Today we have a thriving community of researchers across the breadth of the institution who are working to tackle the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, conflict and justice.
Further information about our sustainable development projects.
Further information