6 challenges to change the world

A radical new strategy for the University’s research agenda is helping address some of the biggest challenges facing the modern world...

Research is fundamental to the development of humanity. Higher education has a critical role to play in helping to overcome the major challenges society continues to encounter now and in the future.

Coventry University has now outlined its own contribution to tackling these global issues in a new strategy. The plan reveals the University's commitment to applied research that focuses on Grand Challenge Initiatives.

Six key global issues – the Grand Challenges – have been identified where applied research is needed and where the University’s expertise can have a significant impact. There are also two further strands that run throughout the six key areas.

These research areas offer massive opportunities for staff, students and partners of the University to collaborate on projects. Interdisciplinary activity across the University's departments and faculties will be encouraged to involve a broad range of expertise and strengthen results.

These initiatives will enable the University to work more closely with external partners, enhance the student experience, build its reputation for high quality research and, most importantly, address grand challenges on a global scale.

The six challenges, and the two supporting strands, are outlined on this site and while not all of the University's research activity will fit under these headings, it will all follow the same principles that drive the initiatives.

Future issues of Innovate will show how the Grand Challenge Initiatives are taking the University’s teaching and research agenda to a higher level in its mission to tackle some of society’s most pressing concerns. It’s a powerful commitment from Coventry to help shape the future of our world.

The Grand Challenge Initiatives are now driving the research agenda at Coventry University.