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

Education
University of Exeter

Making Exeter's museum collections available to everyone

The University of Exeter is helping to ensure the amazing collections of local museums are accessible to everyone, through open access to digital resources

Innovation
University of Leeds

Driving innovation for a healthier, greener and inclusive future for Leeds

The University of Leeds is driving regional innovation and economic growth through its place-based approach, leveraging research and innovation expertise, student talent, and collaborative partnerships.

Two members of staff stand chatting inside the Nexus innovation hub at Leeds University
Innovation
University of Edinburgh

Driving investment in innovation in Edinburgh and beyond

The University of Edinburgh has helped deliver innovation-led growth in Scotland and across the UK by helping businesses secure more than £200m of investment over the past five years.

A young woman stands in front of Edinburgh's university building with her back to the camera, wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the word 'Entrepreneur'
Innovation
Research
Newcastle University

Atelerix: the Newcastle spinout transforming the storage of biological materials

Newcastle University spinout Atelerix has developed transformative technology that helps researchers and businesses store and transport biological materials safely at ambient temperatures, removing the need for…

Atelerix CSO Steve Swioklo works in the Atelerix lab
Innovation
Research
Cardiff University

Broken String Biosciences: the Cardiff spinout speeding up drug development

Cardiff University spinout Broken String Biosciences is building a new technology platform designed to make cell and gene therapies safer, more efficient and more affordable for patients and health services such as…

Education
Cardiff University

The Cardiff students providing dental care to communities in the Cynon Valley

Mountain Ash Primary Care Dental Unit is a modern, purpose-built clinic situated in an area of high dental need in South Wales

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

Education
University of Southampton

Reducing the attainment gap in primary schools in Southampton

A scheme run by the University of Southampton is helping to support primary school pupils make up for the impact felt following the Covid-19 lockdowns

Education
University of Southampton

LifeLab: how Southampton researchers are helping young people make better health choices

The University of Southampton has partnered with the NHS to help young people learn about how poor lifestyle choices can impact on their future health

Two girls carry out an experiment in a lab in Southampton
Innovation
Queen's University Belfast

Preparing for a safe digital future in Northern Ireland

To achieve a safe digital future, collaborative innovation between industry and academia must keep pace with new technologies like AI and quantum. Russell Group universities are finding new ways to use research and…

Education
Queen Mary University of London

Supporting the UK skills pipeline with degree apprenticeships at Queen Mary

In 2015, Queen Mary University of London became the first Russell Group university in the UK to deliver degree apprenticeships, and to date has enrolled over 1,000 apprentices across seven programmes

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…

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