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Our Research Hub
University Centre Bishop Burton (UCBB) is home to leading research experts.
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University Centre Bishop Burton (UCBB) is home to leading research experts.
We’re committed to fostering a culture of enquiry and innovation through cooperative ventures and practical research. The quality of education we provide is advanced by the incorporation of research and scholarly pursuits.
We prioritise involving students in research through a combination of curriculum integration, cutting-edge facilities, and collaboration with experienced academic professionals, pushing the boundaries of conventional wisdom concerning teaching and learning.
Our excellent agriculture and farm facilities support a range of research, from crop efficiency to livestock production systems. You'll have access to our commercial farm, Centre for Precision Agriculture and laboratories to help you with practical research using land, livestock and data.
Our industry-experienced staff are on-hand to support you with dissertation projects. Their specialisms include crop production, carbon sequestration and precision farming.
Research and publications that we have been involved with include:
Our excellent animal sciences facilities support a range of research, from the efficiency of training techniques to enrichment methods for domestic and zoo animals.
We can help you to facilitate practical research using zoo, domestic and production animals.
Many of our lecturers continue to work in the industry and can offer specialist support on topics such as animal behaviour.
UCBB's excellent equine facilities support a breadth of research aimed at exploring aspects of both the horse and rider to inform improved welfare and performance. You will have access to laboratories, a Rider Fitness and Performance Suite, Rebabilitation and Therapy Centre, plus broader facilities including a variety of surfaces, competitions and events for exploration into equine science and sport performance.
Our experienced equine staff will provide inspiration and support for you to develop confident research skills throughout your degree programme before undertaking an independent project.
Our alumni have chosen a wide range of topics:
With the environment becoming an increasing focus, the demand for those with knowledge of ecology and wildlife conservation is growing. Learning alongside our expert staff and with access to extensive facilities, you will have all the support you need to acquire the theoretical understanding and practical field skills needed to develop your research interests.
You will benefit greatly in your research from our established links with a range of local sites, from Humber Estuary to the North York Moors, working alongside external colleagues who manage them.
Research on our programmes reflects the broad nature of the subject area. Students have previously undertaken projects on:
Our extensive facilities, established sporting academies and professional links support a breadth of research in all aspects of sport and exercise science.
Our alumni have focused on a range of topics, including human performance, exercise and physical activity. For instance:
You will be able to apply your research to answer real-world issues by working with our high performance sports and equine academies, which support student athletes in football, rugby, netball and equestrianism at high standards of competition.
You will also be able to collaborate with our Equine Performance research team to explore rider fitness and performance, applying sport and exercise science principles to equestrian athletes to inform coaching practice and athletic development.
Research lies at the core of criminological theory, influencing social policy change, as well as informing criminal justice practice. Our fluid approach gives you the opportunity to conduct detailed research in a multitude of crime typologies; encompassing a range of approaches to crime, punishment and rehabilitation.
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in industry to underpin your research, for instance as a Police Special Constable, prison support worker, with the Citizens Advice Bureau and victim support.
Should all Police Constables have to experience a period as a Special Constable before applying full-time? Does rehabilitation practice work in the UK? Do language barriers in the court impact outcomes for witnesses and victims? Whatever topic you want to explore, our experienced academic staff can help you.
Our Creative and Design Research Centre aims to explore creative opportunities, develop ideas and undertake problem-solving activities. Focused on Design and Floristry, our research processes allow for idea generation, risk taking and lateral thinking.
Throughout your work, you will be encouraged to be mindful that the end result should be forward-thinking, responsive to the client and the environment, sustainable and accessible to all.
Within our design discipline contexts, creative projects respond to industry led trends and influences, exploring the fundamentals of the design process and the benefits of participating in creative activity and its related benefits. This approach allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the potential of the creative industries and explore the use of technological advances within projects, focussing on the future of the creative industries.
Our creative methodology focuses on environmental impact and sustainable innovation, whilst a human-centred design approach to problem-solving places the end-user at the forefront of our research projects.
Here at UCBB, we put research in our students’ hands. Our approach to student-driven inquiry presents opportunities for intellectual exploration, giving students the confidence and experience to go out into the world and continue their work.
Students feel grounded by the consistent departmental support they receive. Academic emphasise, world class facilities, and long-standing professional partnerships combine to empower our students in their research endeavours.
Check out some of our students' research...
At UCBB, we cultivate an environment where our students not only excel but thrive in their research endeavours, thanks to the strong support and guidance provided by our academic faculty. Our educators, with a wealth of experience in their respective fields, instil confidence in their students, serving as mentors throughout their academic journeys.
Our faculty boasts a strong track record of publishing influential papers in various scholarly records. This wealth of expertise is not just a testament to their academic attainment but also a reflection of their commitment to nurturing the success of their students. They understand that a key ingredient to student achievement is the dedication and knowledge imparted by faculty members who are genuinely invested in their students' growth and development.
Ready to get started? Check out UCBB's programmes.
Stay up-to-date on our research, conferences, news and more on LinkedIn.
For more information, contact our Adele Sewell, our Research Committee Chair.
Email: adele.sewell@bishopburton.ac.uk
Telephone: 01964 504153
Animal Sciences Lecturer
“I enjoy helping students to modify their perceptions of how animals and humans coexist. Getting into the mind of an animal, viewing the world from their perspective, and adapting our own habits, is vital to the future of the planet.”
Lecturer Hanne Grice is an expert on Animal Behaviour.
A former graduate of UCBB with an MSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Training under her belt, Hanne is a leading expert on animal behaviour in the UK. Winner of Animal Behaviourist of the Year 2022-23, she is regularly in the media and recently featured on the One Show where she discussed training dogs to use ‘talking buttons’ as a means to communicate with their humans.
Laboratory Manager
With an impressive raft of research to her name, our laboratories are in extremely capable hands under the leadership of Marine Biologist Michaela.
Specialising in micro-biology, Michaela was a Senior Research at York University for many years, and has also worked with the National Blood Service.
An active member of the Micro Biology Society, Michaela has published an impressive number of papers covering a fascinating range of research projects including agricultural crop trials and breast cancer investigation.
Michaela is heavily involved in working with students on their dissertations and is a key player in the team delivering precision agriculture higher-level skills as part of the Institute of Technology (IoT).
Lecturer in Agriculture
UCBB’s resident livestock expert Jess is an experienced farmer, breeding pedigree Boer goats and managing her own flock of 300 sheep. Currently working towards a Master’s degree specialising in sustainable and efficient food production, she is also a driving force in our precision agriculture provision with the Institute of Technology.