A Proud Part of Portsmouth and the Solent Region
We’re committed to making a difference for individuals and society. Our mission is rooted in creating, sharing, and applying knowledge that sparks positive change across Portsmouth and the wider Solent region.
Our Commitment to Local Communities
At the University of Portsmouth, our dedication extends beyond education. We’re working every day to enhance our communities’ social, cultural, and economic fabric, collaborating with local partners to create initiatives that benefit everyone.
Together, we aim to support health, sustainability, social inclusion, and the local economy. We’re not just the University of Portsmouth — we’re the University 'for' Portsmouth.
Our efforts focus on three main areas:
- Working with Our Communities
We’re continuously building two-way collaborations with local groups, organisations, and partners to nurture positive change. These partnerships aim to address local needs and strengthen our collective efforts, with projects spanning education, healthcare, and social support. - Supporting Our Communities
Our work extends to offering free services that provide direct support, like our Legal Advice Clinic. We're committed to leveraging our expertise to make meaningful contributions to local residents and schools. - Being Present in Our Communities
Each year, staff and students contribute over 140,000 hours to community projects, actively engaging in efforts that help strengthen social bonds and create lasting impact.
Explore Our Projects and Partnerships
Explore the ongoing projects driving positive change across our region. Use the interactive map below to learn more about our collaborations in areas like social impact, health and wellbeing, economic growth, arts and culture, environment, and student volunteering.
Using the map:
Explore our diverse range of projects and their impact on the community through our interactive map. Follow these steps to make the most of your experience:
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Filter Projects: Use the filter toggle located at the bottom of the map to select the project category you're most interested in. Our projects are grouped into five categories: Social Impact, Health & Wellbeing, Environment, and Cultural & Arts, Economic Impact and Student Volunteering.
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Learn More: Click on any map pin to discover detailed information about specific projects. This includes a brief description, key contacts, and any relevant links for further information.
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Navigate: Use the zoom controls on the left side of the map. This helps you get a better sense of the geographical spread and scale of our initiatives.
Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear from you! If you have a project idea or are involved in initiatives that align with our goals, reach out to us at civicuniversity@port.ac.uk.
How we impact Portsmouth and the local region
We want to be a big part of positive changes in Portsmouth and our surrounding area, working with existing community projects.
Enhancing lives through volunteering
At the University of Portsmouth, our robust volunteering culture is integral to community development. Annually, students and staff contribute over 140,000 hours to 124 local organisations, significantly enhancing our region's social and cultural fabric. Discover more about our volunteering impact and opportunities here, and how we celebrate our student volunteers at our Student Impact Awards.
Supporting our community
We want to make the most of the University’s expertise and experience to provide our local community relevant services, free of charge where possible. You can learn more about our award winning Legal Clinic here, and ‘Brush Up’ projects here.
Partnering with our community
We want to tackle the challenges of our local community by collaborating with other groups and organisations that share our passion for the region. You can read more here about our multi-academy trust, or the partnership we have with King’s College London Medicine to train doctors in Portsmouth.
Growing local business through collaboration
We collaborate with local businesses, organisations and the public sector by offering free support, advice, and services to the local business community. We offer business services to support and grow local businesses, including our Accountancy Clinic, Accelerating Women's Enterprise (AWE) programme, conference and event space, co-working and office space, free energy efficiency audits and funding through. From net zero plans to product redesigns and business model reboots, we can help make your sustainability ideas happen.
Promoting the city of Portsmouth
Portsmouth has unique strengths and a rich heritage. We want to show the world how great this city is. Through partnership work, we aim to champion shared interests, support economic growth and make the city a destination of choice for people to live, work and visit. We've partnered with Portsmouth Football Club to promote our city, increase local participation in higher education, and provide work experience for our students. We're also working to improve our sustainability and become a climate-positive university by 2030.
Upcoming Events: Click Title for More Information
Life Solved Live: Forecasting Floods and Engineering Net Zero
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Date: Wednesday 10 December
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Location: Portland Building, PO1 3AH
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Time: Check in from 17:30, event starts at 18:00
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Professors David Ndzi and Victor Becerra will deliver Inaugural Lectures exploring innovative solutions to two of the world’s greatest challenges: adapting to extreme weather and achieving Net Zero. Professor Ndzi will present AI-driven, low-cost rainfall prediction systems to improve climate resilience, while Professor Becerra will discuss the transformation of power systems through digitalisation, smart grids, and energy storage to build a sustainable energy future.
Dr Christina Philippou explores the business side of football through the complex relationship between the game and finance. Focusing on the top five tiers of professional men’s football in England and the top two tiers of the women’s game, we’ll examine where football’s money comes from—broadcasting, matchday, and commercial income—and where it goes, from player wages to stadium development. We’ll also address key challenges like financial sustainability and competitive balance, and analyse the impact of financial regulations and the new Football Governance Act on clubs, leagues and the sport as a whole. Join us for critical insights into the future of the game’s financial landscape.
Accessibility and special requirements: We will endeavour to provide particular access requirements on request. If you have any access requirements, e.g. wheelchair access, hearing loops or specific neurodiverse requirements, please get in touch in advance of the event.
Any questions you may have, please contact dri@port.ac.uk
A civic conversation on how Portsmouth can support Armed Forces, veteran and blue-light learners to feel seen, understood and able to thrive
About this event
Save the Date - Civic Networking Event – We See You
We See You is a University of Portsmouth initiative that recognises and supports those serving in the Armed Forces, their families, veterans, and blue-light professionals. It reflects our civic mission and our commitment to those whose service strengthens the fabric of national life.
This Civic Networking Event invites educators, learners, civic partners, and community organisations to explore how we can create learning pathways that truly support service-connected communities to thrive from early years through to higher education and adult learning.
When educational pathways remain open later in life, service leavers and their families can continue to learn, grow, and contribute to the communities they serve.
What to expect
- Presentation by David Mather, Academic Lead for We See You, introducing the strategy and sharing insights from the Teacher Insight Session
- Reflections from lived experience, exploring what it means to grow up or transition within a service-connected family
- Table conversations and networking, exploring how education at every stage from schools to colleges, universities, and adult learning can work together to strengthen belonging and opportunity
Who should attend
Veterans, service leavers and families, you are warmly invited to join us.
Your lived experience is central to this conversation.
This event is also for:
- Educators, school and college leaders
- Teachers and pastoral staff
- Adult learning and skills providers
- Local employers and training organisations
- Veterans’ support groups and charities
- Community organisations and civic partners
- Policy, civic, and higher education colleagues
- Anyone supporting Armed Forces, veteran or blue-light families in Portsmouth
Why it matters
Portsmouth is proud of its service heritage. As the city’s largest educational institution, the University of Portsmouth has a unique role to play in connecting learning, wellbeing, and opportunity for all who serve and those who grow up in their care.
Together, we can create a model of civic partnership that helps service-connected learners of every age find their place, build new skills, and thrive in education and beyond.
Facilitators:
- David Mather, We See You Academic Lead (Univeristy of Portsmouth)
- Sue Knight, Community Engagement Officer (University of Portsmouth)
Public Lecture: Exploring how diet and exercise support brain health and prevent disease.
Join us for an inspiring session where four expert speakers will explore how everyday choices influence brain health and wellbeing. Drawing from neuroscience, nutrition and exercise science, the talks will reveal how diet and physical activity interact to shape memory, mood and brain function—and how they can help prevent disease.
The presentations will be followed by a lively panel discussion chaired by Dr Murphy Wan, delving into cutting-edge research on gut-brain communication, immune regulation in mental health, and practical lifestyle strategies for a healthier brain and a happier life.
Discover how small, evidence-based changes in what we eat and how we move can make a big difference to how we think and feel.
Accessibility and special requirements: We will endeavour to provide particular access requirements on request. If you have any access requirements, e.g. wheelchair access, hearing loops or specific neurodiverse requirements, please get in touch in advance of the event.
Public lecture: The real life lessons from supernatural stories of the sea.
Mor info coming soon.
Public Lecture: Find out about the realities and media influences surrounding Chernobyl.
More info coming soon
Join us for a fascinating journey through ancient skies, mythology, and science.
More info coming soon.
Public Lecture: Dive into the world of pop culture and the creative industries in Portsmouth.
More info coming soon.
Collaborate with us
If you're brimming with ideas for civic projects or eager to share the impactful activities you're already championing, we encourage you to send us an email. Every contribution you make is a an essential part of the change we're creating as a community.
Let us know about your ongoing civic work as a current member of staff, student, or another part of the University community, or reach out to us with a new project idea.
And if you're not officially part of our community yet but are drawn to civic collaboration, we warmly welcome your interest. Whether you're a part of our existing University community or you're looking to working with us for the first time, your unique perspective and active involvement will help us develop our future.
If you're also interested in keeping up to date on the civic networking events, please email sue.knight@port.ac.uk.
Civic news and projects
University of Portsmouth’s economic and societal impact ranked highly in national assessment
The University’s impact on business and communities is among the best in the country, according to Research England’s Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
University announces free public talks covering everything from DNA secrets to football finance
The public lecture series will explore fascinating topics from DNA discoveries to football finance, ancient goddesses to maritime folklore.
Launch of exciting new heritage film at St Hubert’s
University of Portsmouth partners with local church to produce a film exploring history, art, and community.
Portsmouth playground still the 'PLAYCE' to be one year on
A project that worked with residents to transform an underused play area in central Portsmouth into a colourful, interactive space, has recently won an award and celebrated its first birthday.
University of Portsmouth and Mary Rose Trust launch major project to preserve decades of excavation footage of iconic Tudor warship
A significant milestone has been reached in the partnership between the University of Portsmouth and The Mary Rose Trust, with the launch of an ambitious project to digitise more than 40 years of archival video footage documenting the iconic Tudor warship and its excavation.
University staff and students raise almost £12,000 at Fratton Park charity football match
The University’s annual Students vs Staff charity match returned to Portsmouth Football Club last week for a historic game.
