Impact

Impact

Real-world examples highlighting the positive economic, societal and cultural impacts of Russell Group universities in every region and nation of the UK.

Feature: Access & participation

19 February 2025
Impact story
Access & participation
University of Exeter

University of Exeter's bespoke access pathway for mature students

A mature student working in a classroom
20 January 2025
Impact story
Access & participation
UCL

UCL partnerships are widening access to HE for pupils across London

15 February 2025
Impact story
Access & participation
Research
University of Warwick

The Warwick study making life better for care leavers

17 January 2025
Impact story
Access & participation
University of Oxford

Opening new access pathways to Oxford

Innovation
Research
University of York

University of York and Greensphere Capital: commercialising solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss

The University of York has partnered with sustainability investor Greensphere Capital in a £150 million fund designed to invest in and scale market-leading businesses that successfully commercialise solutions to the…

Innovation
Research
UCL

Autolus: the UCL spinout creating life-changing treatments for incurable blood cancer

UCL spin-out Autolus – which since its inception in 2014 has raised $921.6m, now employs over 460 people and has plans to expand its production facility in Stevenage – continues to partner with UCL and NHS hospitals…

Two female researchers work in a laboratory at Autolus
Access & participation
Education
UCL

UCL East: innovative arts and science initiatives on a new campus in Newham

UCL’s creation of a new campus in Newham has brought numerous initiatives to benefit the local community and developed in collaboration with local government

Access & participation
UCL

UCL partnerships are widening access to HE for pupils across London

Through access and widening participation work, UCL reaches around 1,000 schools and colleges each year, working with teachers and pupils from aged seven until 18

Access & participation
University of Southampton

Turner Sims Southampton: bringing the joy of live music to local communities

In 2022/23, the University of Southampton’s music venue, Turner Sims (TS) Southampton, presented 114 live concerts attracting 18,309 attendees, including 1,560 students and under 18s

Performers dance outside on the grass at a Turner Sims Southampton family day
Research
University of Sheffield

The Sheffield research helping to decarbonise the aviation sector

The University of Sheffield’s Innovation District is home to the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Innovation Centre, which offers partners from industry such as Boeing and Virgin Atlantic access to the university’s…

Research
University of Sheffield

Building a global Advanced Manufacturing hub in Sheffield

The University of Sheffield transformed the former Orgreave coking plant – the site of violent clashes between pickets and police during the miners’ strike in 1984 - into a global hub for advanced manufacturing…

Research
Queen's University Belfast

LUNG SHOT: the Queen's University Belfast research project improving lung cancer screening across Ireland

Queen's University Belfast has secured a significant grant to lead a groundbreaking project aimed at establishing lung cancer screening programmes across the island of Ireland

Access & participation
Queen's University Belfast

Addressing digital exclusion in south Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) has worked with local skills providers to create a new digital ICT qualification designed to address needs identified through 'Growing Up in the Market' a longitudinal study…

Research
Queen Mary University of London

Queen Mary research is improving health outcomes for South Asian communities

South Asian communities have some of the highest rates of heart disease, diabetes and poor health in the UK. Genes & Health is a Queen Mary University of London research study set up to help fight against these…

Innovation
Research
Queen Mary University of London

Queen Mary research is shaping the future of solar energy

Queen Mary Innovation (QMI) is a technology transfer company wholly owned by Queen Mary University of London. QMI has entered into over 400 IP agreements returning over £20 million to Queen Mary from…

Innovation
Research
University of Nottingham

Nottingham researchers developing new technology to treat Tourette’s

Two digital technologies based on research by University of Nottingham experts to reduce the severity of tics in people with Tourette’s are closer to patient use in the NHS after being recommended in draft guidance…

Research
University of Nottingham

World-leading R&D facilities in Nottingham delivering net zero transport

In 2024, the University of Nottingham secured more than £70 million to establish new world-leading and open-access research facilities and programmes that will decarbonise future transport, driving economic growth…

Research
University of Nottingham

Nottingham researchers are using AI to predict solar energy output in different climates

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have created an AI model that allows them to accurately predict the amount of solar energy that can be created in different climates, making grid integration easier in the…

Innovation
Research
University of Nottingham

The Nottingham spinout improving brain scans to detect dementia

University of Nottingham spin-out company Cerca Magnetics is using quantum technology to develop wearable brain scanners that could help detect early signs of dementia

Research
University of Oxford

ILESLA: advancing interdisciplinary, experiential learning for Oxford doctorates

The University of Oxford, in partnership with five leading institutions, has launched the Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Landscape Award (ILESLA).