University of Liverpool and United Utilities Sign Research Deal
The University of Liverpool and water company United Utilities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore joint work in research, education and innovation.
The agreement will look at how the university's expertise, facilities and research can support United Utilities' priorities and help with challenges facing the water sector, local communities and the environment. The areas named so far are engineering, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation, materials discovery, environmental stewardship and life sciences.
Testing ideas on campus
A distinctive part of the proposed partnership is the university's Living Lab, which uses the campus as a real-world test bed for research, teaching and innovation. It will give the two sides a place to try out new approaches.
The university's Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainable Research will also take part. Its role is to help focus efforts on solutions to sustainability challenges and on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Professor Richard Black, the university's Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: "By working together, we aim to identify new opportunities in research, innovation and training to deliver meaningful benefits for the water sector, communities and the environment."
Jo Harrison, Director of Asset Management at United Utilities, said partnerships like this are vital in helping the company develop "cutting-edge scientific evidence and innovative solutions" to challenges facing the water industry and its ability to enable the national growth agenda. She added that the agreement "provides an exciting opportunity to combine academic research with real-world application".
The MoU was signed at a showcase event at the university's Materials Innovation Factory. The university's Research Partnerships Team supports the partnership.
Source: University of Liverpool