News / Brunel Centre
New multi-million pound research centre to propel regional economy
A new research and data centre to open with the aim of linking leading local universities and businesses.
The launch of the Brunel Centre, has been announced to support the regional growth and industrial strategy.
Established by the UWE Bristol, University of Bath and Futures West, the centre will focus on tackling long-term economic challenges in the region, including boosting productivity and innovation in sectors such as clean energy, digital technology, and business services.
The Brunel Centre, set to officially launch in April 2025, will bring together universities, businesses, and policymakers to develop evidence-based strategies for local growth and devolution.
The centre will focus on tackling long-term economic challenges in the region, including boosting productivity and innovation in sectors such as clean energy, digital technology, and business services – photo: Martin Booth
Located in Bath and Bristol, alongside a virtual data observatory, the centre will provide valuable economic insights to help decision-makers across the West of England, from Bath and Bristol to Swindon and Gloucester, to shape sustainable regional policies.
Announced by Research England’s professor Jessica Corner on November 19, the centre will receive £4.5 million in funding over the next five years.
Professor Steve West, vice-chancellor at UWE Bristol, said: “The Brunel Centre will embed research in the heart of the West of England, delivering insights that are both practical and transformative.
“By uniting regional universities, businesses, and policymakers, Brunel will produce real-world data and analysis that drives local economic growth, equips people with critical skills, and ensures that research is directly beneficial to our communities.
“The Brunel Centre’s pioneering approach means our research will be able to make a real-world impact. We’re breaking down barriers between sectors to build a collaborative research ecosystem.”
“By uniting regional universities, businesses, and policymakers, Brunel will produce real-world data and analysis that drives local economic growth,” said professor Steve West, vice-chancellor at UWE Brsitol
Futures West, an initiative by Business West, which is a collaboration between stakeholders and universities, welcomed the opening of new research centre.
Iain Gray, chair of Futures West, said: “We are grateful that Research England has recognised the Brunel Centre’s potential. The Centre’s research will help to drive investment and initiatives that will benefit not just our region, but the wider economy too. We also thank our partners for their work on this successful bid.”
Prior to the opening in April, 2025, the team behind the bid will feature in the upcoming Festival of Flourishing Regions, run by Futures West in January 2025.
The new research and data centre will open with the aim of linking leading local universities and businesses – photo: Brunel Centre
Main photo: UWE Bristol
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