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Building a brighter future for all

We're exploring how new technologies can improve our ever-complex world

Led by Professor Adrian Hopgood, Professor of Intelligent Systems, our Future and Emerging Technologies research is helping make the world a better place.

Future & Emerging Technologies is one of five thematic areas that are written into the University of Portsmouth's Strategy 2025. The Themes support collaboration to extend knowledge and impact in interdisciplinary research, innovation and education.

Interdisciplinarity is the new normal. For example, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Challenge Fund addresses big societal challenges grouped around four core topics – artificial intelligence and data, ageing society, clean growth, and the future of mobility. The Future & Emerging Technologies Theme is contributing to all of them, and it has three priority areas:

  • Digital Technologies, including AI (aligned with the UK’s first National AI Strategy), extended reality (XR), and quantum technologies
  • Space, ranging from cosmology to satellite applications on Earth, aligned with the UK’s first National Space Strategy
  • Manufacture, materials, and energy, aligned with the UK Government’s plan for a Green Industrial Revolution

The goals of the Future & Emerging Technologies Theme are:
 

  • To establish the University of Portsmouth's international reputation as a centre of excellence for future & emerging technologies and their practical application
  • To provide non-elitist support for interdisciplinary research & innovation
  • To be a driver for economic growth through interdisciplinary research & innovation
  • To act as one of five coordinated thematic areas

 

Theme activities

The Future & Emerging Technologies Theme constantly arranges events and initiatives to develop interdisciplinary research and innovation – here are just some of the areas that have emerged with Theme support.

Artificial Intelligence and its Practical Applications (AIPA) Cluster

api cluster
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European Space Agency (ESA) Business Applications

night sky with stars
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Horizons 5G

horizon 5g
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Intelligent Transport Cluster

Cargo ship in the ocean
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Quantum Science and Technology Hub (QSTH)

outer space
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Space South Central (SSC)

Arial view of earth
Visit SSC site

Research areas

Many of the University's research areas cover the areas of Future and Emerging Technologies, including:

Digital and Creative Technologies research

We're fuelling technological advances in animation, visual effects (VFX), cross reality (XR), user experience (UX), computer and video games, and visual computing. Discover the work we do.

Virtual reality headset
Discover our research

Health Informatics

We're improving the design of computer systems and wellbeing services to make the delivery of healthcare more efficient and cost-effective, and we're exploring how technology can influence lifestyle choices and reduce health risks.

vitality health check
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Computing

We're exploring how computational paradigms and algorithms can be used to make a positive difference in a variety of human-machine systems – and our research in computational intelligence is already making an impact.

Information systems student reaches into server
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Civil Engineering

We're working to better understand the increasingly-complex and highly-pressurised nature of modern construction – from the rising prevalence of hybrid technology, to the challenges of managing component supply chains.

Architecture and surveying design on paper
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Operational Research and Logistics

We're researching how we can apply quantitative methodologies to improve decision-making across a range of diverse fields of application.

Large ship at industrial port, loading containers
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Mechanical and Design Engineering

Explore the work we're doing in Biomedical Engineering and Materials Engineering – our two areas of expertise in Mechanical & Design Engineering research.

Different shaped metal objects on a counter
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Research features

Explore our features for a snapshot of our recent research work in this research theme.

Using algorithms to make wind farms more efficient

Professor Dylan Jones
Wind turbines
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Professor Jim Briggs

Developing technology that can help save lives
Heart rate monitor with ECG
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How Smart Diagnosis is making nuclear power safer

Professor Victor Becerra
Nuclear power source
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New algorithm will improve bowel-cancer patient care

Predicting how long a patient might spend in hospital if they’re diagnosed with bowel cancer
Flags outside QA hospital
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Future and Emerging Technology news

See all theme news
A patient on a renal dialysis machine

AI model predicts patients at most risk of complication during treatment for advanced kidney failure

23 October 2024

AI model predicts patients at most risk of complication during treatment for advanced kidney failure
Weather is South Africa

Grant to develop life-saving early warning system for extreme weather events

1 October 2024

Grant to develop life-saving early warning system for extreme weather events
Students involved in the Jupiter project standing side by side for a photo

Universities launch pioneering space programme to boost UK skills and graduate opportunities

20 September 2024

Universities launch pioneering space programme to boost UK skills and graduate opportunities
GOTO-North domes on La Palma, with the Andromeda galaxy visible towards the middle of the night sky (28/01/2024).  © Krzysztof Ulaczyk

Citizen science project identifies 20 new astronomical discoveries

23 August 2024

Citizen science project identifies 20 new astronomical discoveries

New quantum sensing scheme could lead to enhanced high-precision nanoscopic techniques

7 May 2024

New quantum sensing scheme could lead to enhanced high-precision nanoscopic techniques

Future and Emerging Technology blogs

See all theme blogs
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A brief history of AI: how we got here and where we are going

Adrian Hopgood

A brief history of AI: how we got here and where we are going
computing screen with code

US sanctions on Iranian hackers highlight growing concern about the Islamic Republic’s cyberwarriors

US sanctions on Iranian hackers highlight growing concern about the Islamic Republic’s cyberwarriors
What we take with us game logo

I created a ‘cosy game’ – and learned how they can change players’ lives

Adam Jerrett

I created a ‘cosy game’ – and learned how they can change players’ lives
Student House B Roll Shoot

How a hybrid heating system could lower your bills and shrink your carbon footprint

Jovana Radulovic

How a hybrid heating system could lower your bills and shrink your carbon footprint
Picture of a robot

What measures could make the use of AI more transparent and explainable to the public?

What measures could make the use of AI more transparent and explainable to the …

What measures could make the use of AI more transparent and explainable to the public?