Research Centres

The Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure brings together engineers, economists, urban planners and policy specialists to address decarbonisation, energy efficiency and resilient transport systems across the West Midlands. Current flagship projects include the £4.2 million UKRI community renewable energy programme led by Professor James Okonkwo.

The centre hosts postgraduate researchers, visiting fellows and industry secondments. Public engagement activities include Green Futures Week and collaboration with Luma Borough Council on local climate action plans.

The Institute for Health and Care Research coordinates nursing, midwifery, paramedic science, psychology and public health research with NHS partners across the region. Research themes include health inequalities, ageing populations, mental health in community settings and clinical education.

Funded projects include NIHR-supported studies on discharge planning and evaluation of peer-support interventions developed by Luma nursing students during placements.

The Centre for Digital Innovation spans the School of Computing and Business School, focusing on artificial intelligence ethics, cybersecurity, digital entrepreneurship and data analytics for public services. Industry partners include regional technology firms and NHS digital teams.

The centre operates the AI laboratory in the Digital Learning Hub and delivers continuing professional development for Midlands employers upskilling workforces in digital technologies.

Based in the Department of History, this unit preserves and interprets industrial and social heritage of the region. The West Midlands Industrial Archive digitisation project makes over 12,000 items accessible online for researchers, schools and community groups.

Collaborative projects with Black Country Living Museum and local archives support exhibitions, oral history collection and curriculum resources for secondary education.

Education researchers evaluate teacher training effectiveness, inclusive pedagogy and school improvement strategies in partnership with over 120 placement schools. Work informs PGCE curriculum design and contributes to regional debates on SEND provision and teacher retention.

The centre publishes the Luma Education Review, an open-access journal featuring practitioner-focused research.