Computing and Communications Research

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

Research Themes

  • Communication Systems

    We focus on the design, analysis and optimisation of future communication systems.

  • Data Science

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

  • Digital Health

    We use 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

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

  • Pervasive Systems

    We investigate 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 cybersecurity.

  • Software Engineering

    Software Engineering (SE) has been a significant research theme at Lancaster since 1986. Our high-impact research spans the range from tool development to theoretical work and focuses on several SE themes.

Interdisciplinary 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.

  • Institute for Social Futures

    The ISF improves thinking, visioning, analysis and data relating to futures. It combines high-quality social science and humanities research with computer, engineering and medical science.

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) 2021 rated us 14th for research power, with 94% of our research being rated world-leading or internationally excellent. 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 Master's by Research or PhD at Lancaster University is an ideal way to begin your own research career.