The University of Strathclyde has been named as a founding member of a new Defence Universities Alliance.
The UK Government-backed initiative will strengthen research, innovation and skills in support of national security.
The Alliance’s 35 founding higher education institutions will undertake technological research and skills development for the armed forces as part of a £182 million investment in defence.
Strathclyde brings world-leading expertise to the group in areas including robotics, AI, cyber security, photonics and sensing, satellite technologies, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing.
The University has a strong track record of working with partners across government, industry and the public sector to translate research into real-world impact.
Strong contribution
Recent examples of its defence-related work include PROMPT, a collaborative project involving Strathclyde’s NeuraSearch laboratory, BAE Systems and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, which is developing technology to monitor pilots’ mental workload during flight operations and support earlier safety interventions in demanding conditions. The University is also part of FENDER, a £5 million UK research programme developing advanced inspection technologies to detect hidden defects in critical infrastructure, from aircraft components to nuclear power systems.
Professor Tim Bedford, Associate Principal of the University of Strathclyde, said: “We are proud to be a founding partner in the DUA. As research-intensive University, Strathclyde has a strong contribution to make through research, innovation and skills, and we look forward to working with partners to help develop the technologies and talent needed to support the UK’s security.”
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “The Defence Universities Alliance will create meaningful connections between students, academia and defence, boosting research, skills and defence expertise across the UK to strengthen industry. Universities play a key role in innovating and supporting defence, and the DUA helps marshal those efforts."
The alliance is a long-term collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, the UK Armed Forces, the Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor for National Security and the higher education sector.