For six decades, millions of people have benefited from research conducted by the University’s academics, research centres and research groups.

Starting out in 1962 as a teacher training college to address a national shortage of teachers for Church of England schools, Canterbury Christ Church University has grown to produce relevant research that delivers tangible changes and solve real-world problems.

Its research is built upon its heritage in public services, expertise and experience in health, clinical psychology and criminal justice; underpins its belief in the transformative power of education by helping to widen opportunities available to young people and works with international partners on global engagement and development.

But perhaps more important is the significance of the impact that the University’s research has for the people who experience it. People with dementia or long-term health conditions helped to live more fulfilling lives, vulnerable people in the criminal justice system supported through the most challenging of circumstances, those safeguarded from the devastating consequences of exploitation or oppression, and those supported and enabled to fulfil their potential and to live long and healthy lives.

The breadth and reach of the University’s research significantly demonstrates its impact and public value upon our world, our local communities and our own individual lives.

This year’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) results showed how the University more than doubled the proportion of world-leading research it has produced since the last REF in 2014. It has also more than quadrupled the world-leading impacts and benefits that its research provides for people’s lives.

The University’s REF submission demonstrated how collectively millions of people benefited from its research, including:

• 1million young people supported to become newly physically active
• 3 million young people benefitting from new curricula in Church of England Schools
• 5 million health professionals benefitting from new clinical guidelines and training to support pregnant and post-partum women.

These impacts derive from systems changes, that will benefit not just the millions of people experiencing them now, but future generations.

Find out more about our research and celebrating our Jubilee research heritage.