Beyond the breakthroughs: redefining the global-civic university

Our global-civic mission is captured across the full range of our activities; from public health and wellbeing, our natural world and built environments, the economy and working lives, and cultural development. It is a coordinated effort to generate research and partnerships that secure our collective future and create a framework to allow present and future generations to flourish.

Defining our public health priorities

Public health and wellbeing research and partnerships are fundamental to our identity as a university. Through large-scale partnerships and prevention-focused research, we are contributing to strengthening health systems, advancing medical innovation, and addressing outcome inequalities. Our most recent partnership – Cardiff Health Partners – brings us together with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Velindre University NHS Trust to strengthen healthcare delivery, foster research excellence, economic growth, and social wellbeing across the capital and wider South East Wales region.  It is providing us with an opportunity to align with NHS Wales, local authorities, and industry around shared health outcomes and priorities, whilst also generating skills, employment, and innovation capacity.

Partnerships with Siemens Healthineers and Wellcome have supercharged our global health technology networks, whilst initiatives such as SUNPAD, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, are prioritising the health of some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Supporting our natural and built environments

Of course, lasting public health must be supported by securing the long-term health of our natural world and built environments. The impact from poor housing, unsustainable infrastructure, environmental collapse, and resource access inequality are all key issues we are addressing. Our research into developing a low-carbon built environment is transforming understanding of how homes can be designed and managed, leading to better health, improved comfort, reduced bills for inhabitants, and helping lower carbon emissions.

Our research projects into improving river health and resilience, and creating sustainable food systems, are critically examining the effects of climate change, and by integrating environmental science, engineering, social science, and public policy, are finding local solutions for global problems.

Building better jobs and a fairer economy

The future of work in an increasingly digital world is an interdisciplinary issue, which is being explored across our research landscape. The emerging AI Growth Zones and Investment Zones present both opportunities and expose vulnerabilities in the workforce, raising questions around data governance, skills development, and equitable access to resources. Through initiatives such as the Cyber Innovation Hub and the Hartree Centre Cardiff Hub, we’re showing how engagement with AI and emerging technologies can enhance, not erode, people’s working lives. We are developing pioneering compound semiconductor and advanced manufacturing research which is powering the next-generation of world-changing technologies. We’re shaping technological growth which is developed with, and anchored in, our communities, creating inclusive, sustainable, and ethical economic growth.

Our work on shaping the living wage is having a direct impact on national strategy and public policy and is improving wages and working conditions for countless people across the UK. Our research into the transnational concerns of modern slavery and ethical supply chains is shaping debates around responsibility and human rights and addressing underlying issues that are contributing to worker exploitation, job precarity, and other hidden harms. By informing procurement frameworks, regulation, and employer practices, we are supporting fairer labour markets and a more responsible economy.

Celebrating and enhancing our cultural legacy

Wales has an extraordinary cultural legacy, and a remarkable current and future talent pool. Through research initiatives such as the Centre for the Creative Economy, Creative Cardiff, and Media Cymru, we are recognising, celebrating, and enhancing the social and economic power our culture-makers are bringing to Wales. Creative industries generate employment and innovation, but they also nurture identity, belonging, and collective expression. Supporting freelancers, SMEs, and cultural organisations contributes to a vibrant civic life, and enhances the wellbeing of communities.

Cultural vitality strengthens community cohesion and resilience, supports mental wellbeing, and creates pride in our regions and unique heritage. The CAER Heritage Project has led to research which has been entirely co-produced with local communities, involving residents, schools, and community groups in archaeological research and learning, helping to widen participation, build skills, and strengthen community identity.

Future generation thinking and partnering with Cardiff Capital Region

We are pioneering research that acts today for the benefit of tomorrow, creating knowledge and ideas that future generations will depend on. We’re anticipating long-term consequences, working across disciplines, and partnering with public, private, and third-sector organisations to embed our research into policy and practice.

We are proud to join the Cardiff Capital Region Invest Partnership Programme. Cardiff University and Cardiff Capital Region share a mutual understanding that the global flow of knowledge, people, investment capital, and shared commitments, is vital to building stronger, more resilient, and vibrant local communities. By working with our regional partners, we can maximise impact for local communities and help put Wales on the international stage. Through strengthening health, environmental, economic, and cultural ecosystems – we can secure a brighter, more equitable, and resilient future for us all. 

Get involved

If you’re interested in partnering with us, there are a number of ways you can get involved. Through our Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, you can harness our academic skills and expertise to help improve your competitiveness, productivity, and performance. Access many of the several hundred technologies and almost 100 patents in our intellectual property portfolio via our Technology Transfer team. Finally, take advantage of the range of specialist facilities we have across our campus, designed to accelerate discovery and deliver solutions for business.

Connect with our Innovation + Impact network to grow your links with our academic community and network with other innovators. Find our network on LinkedIn and join our mailing list to receive updates directly to your inbox.

Author: Professor Wendy Larner, President and Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff University.