1. Computing and Communications
  2. Research

Research

The School of Computing and Communications is committed to conducting world-class research with high impact. We publish in leading peer-reviewed journals and conferences, play major roles in the international research community, engage closely with industry and research users, and are active in developing new interdisciplinary research agendas.

Communication Systems

Lancaster's Communication Systems Research Group focuses on the design, analysis and optimisation of future communication systems.

Data Science

Data Science focuses on new methods, algorithms and applications of transforming data in real-time and autonomously to meet real-world needs.

Digital Health

Our focus is on using digital technologies to take a proactive approach to health, with the aim of preventing illness and improving quality of life.

Distributed Systems

Distributed systems are becoming increasingly complex, encompassing areas of technological innovation including cloud computing, multi-core architectures, the Internet of Things and mobile computing.

Interactive Systems

We come together from different fields including computer science, vision, graphics, machine learning and engineering to develop advances in mobile, pervasive and interactive technologies.

Networking

The Networking group have a diverse range of interests, from cutting-edge computer networking technologies to understanding new deployment context.

Pervasive Systems

The Pervasive Computing group at Lancaster conducts world-class research into the design, development, deployment and evaluation of mobile and pervasive computing systems.

Security

Our activities deliver ground-breaking research and postgraduate training through programmes as diverse as an MA in conflict, development and security and an MSc in cyber security.

Software Engineering

Software Engineering (SE) has been a major research theme at Lancaster since 1986. In the 2010s our high-impact research spans the range from tool development to theoretical work and focuses on a number of SE themes.

Related Research Centres

Data Science Institute

We aim to set the global standard for a truly interdisciplinary approach to contemporary data-driven research challenges.

Security Lancaster

We deliver research and education that innovates and creatively challenges the way that individuals, organisations and societies secure and protect themselves.

Lancaster Intelligent, Robotic and Autonomous Systems Centre

The role of robotic, autonomous and intelligent systems is coming to the fore of modern industry and technology, with deep-learning, drone delivery, driverless cars and more.

Themes

The School has identified three interdisciplinary areas as key growth areas:

  • Data Science
  • Cybersecurity
  • Digital Health

We actively pursue research agendas that cut across traditional field boundaries to achieve transformative developments in several sub-fields simultaneously.

Reputation

Our research is recognised for its exceptional quality and international reputation. The UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 overall ranked us 12th in the UK for Computer Science, with 91% of our research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (and 7th in the UK for producing work in these two categories). An International Review of UK Computer Science cited us as one of only a handful of centres undertaking "leading edge systems research".

Culture

We are proud of our vibrant research culture in the School. Over 80 full-time academic and research staff and over 100 research students have been attracted to Lancaster from all over the world. Across all our activities, we share a strong engineering ethos in our research that emphasises understanding of real-world challenges and development and experimental evaluation of systems.

Grants

Our research is supported by grants from the UK Research Councils, the European Commission and industrial sponsors. The total value of our current grants exceeds £12M. Our grant portfolio reflects our commitment to collaborative research, including on an international scale.

To become part of our research team you can apply for PhD study at Lancaster.

Join Us

Research Courses

Starting a Masters by Research or PhD at Lancaster University is an ideal way to begin your own research career.

Computer Science by Research MSc

Communication Systems by Research MSc

PhD