Arup and Newcastle University join to promote region’s expertise through research

Arup and Newcastle University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate future work together on a series of research initiatives in the field of engineering, design, technology and sustainability.

The two organisations will pursue a joint strategic research agenda, collaborating nationally and internationally, focused on design and engineering excellence through research. The activities are likely to cover areas including:

• joint exploration of climate change impacts, adaptation and carbon sequestration
• infrastructure systems – including the modelling of networks, structures and soils
• urban sustainability, including the ‘city-as-a-lab’ concept being developed in Newcastle Gateshead, energy-efficient buildings, intelligent urban transport systems and integrated resource modelling.

The agreement builds on current and recent collaborations between the two organisations, which include joint work on Ph.D studies, staff exchanges and Royal Academy fellow lectureships.

Philip Dilley, Chairman of Arup, said: “The North East has a distinguished industrial past, and great opportunity in the future to develop from a heavily industrialised economy to a leading carbon economy. These aspirations are shared by the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne and Arup, and via this agreement we hope to both support the region and demonstrate to the world the UK’s expertise in design and engineering.”

Vice Chancellor of Newcastle University, Professor Chris Brink, commented: "We are very pleased to work with Arup. Newcastle University is one of the UK's leading institutions in Civil Engineering, with particular expertise in sustainability, which meshes well with the aims and activities of Arup. This MoU recognises that position and will build on what is already proving to be a successful and fruitful relationship."

Arup is a global consultancy with more than 9,000 staff working in engineering, design, technology and sustainable development. The company is held in trust, enabling the firm to maintain exemplary professional integrity.

Newcastle University is research intensive with strong links to universities and companies world-wide and a broad portfolio of capability in disciplines ranging from STEM subjects, medicine and healthcare to the arts and humanities. Newcastle’s excellent research track record of major industrial impact and high quality, innovative postgraduate training portfolio make it a highly favoured partner.

Arup has been working in Newcastle since 1967, and currently employs over 140 members of staff in its local offices, with particular expertise in sports – competition swimming pool design is a particular specialism, intelligent transport systems (ITS), carbon footprinting and sustainability.The firm’s contribution to the city can be seen in projects like the state of the art research facility, Newcastle’s Cancer Research Institute (Academic Laboratory), a number of the region’s leading acute hospitals, Sunderland Aquatic Centre, “the Angel of the North” by Antony Gormley, the Metro system and the New Tyne Crossing.