Research stories from Cardiff University

Our curiosity never stops. We believe in collaboration, so we bring the brightest minds together to think about the issues that matter most.

Delve into stories from our research community.

A female rugby player wearing a red jersey holds a white ball after catching it at a lineout.

Tackling the gender gap in sport research

Our researchers and rugby athletes are generating the first insights on the effects of head impacts in women’s contact sports.

Changing the future of kidney disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of adults worldwide – it’s hard to detect and diagnose until its later stage, known as kidney failure.

Fostering commercial collaboration at the Business Innovation Centres

Our commercial offices, labs, and co-working spaces help businesses to innovate, scale, and succeed.

Exploring human behaviour at the Social Science Research Park

We are a community driven by expertise, creativity, curiosity, and entrepreneurship.  

Preserving human biosamples at the Cardiff University Biobank

Sourcing, storing, and supplying quality human biosamples for commercial and academic research .

Better brain health with the Brain Research Imaging Centre

Bringing together world-leading expertise in brain imaging, mapping, and stimulation to better understand the causes of neurological and psychiatric conditions. 

Supporting life science research with Central Biotechnology Services

Providing certified life sciences services to businesses and the research community.

Providing advanced imaging technologies with the Bioimaging Research Hub

Concept to completion application support across light microscopy for researchers and external partners.

Investigating human movement at the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility

A world-leading centre for the study of human biomechanics and musculoskeletal health.

Creating atomic-scale imagery with electron microscopy facilities 

Seeing the unseeable with detectors for elemental mapping through both energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy.

Extending the frontiers of brain research worldwide

Our researchers are using their expertise to democratise research-grade neuroimaging, enabling scientists in low-income settings to investigate the brain with unprecedented detail.

Building next-generation technologies with the Institute for Compound Semiconductors

Powering the technology of the future in our purpose-built cleanroom facility.

Preventing violence and making our communities safer

Our researchers are transforming how we prevent serious violence by shaping safety in the night-time economy, improving hospital-based interventions, and tackling hidden inequalities that affect who is harmed, and who gets help.

Treating neurodegenerative diseases at their source

Our Advanced Neurotherapies Centre is pioneering gene, RNA and cell therapies for Huntington’s and Parkinson’s – delivering precision treatment into the brain and offering real hope to patients and families.

Strengthening impartial political journalism

We are reshaping political journalism, working with major broadcasters, regulators, and audiences to challenge misinformation and build trusted, accountable news.

Improving river health and resilience

Our researchers are transforming how we manage rivers, from nature-based flood defences and ‘invisible’ plastic detection to physics-guided AI that supports climate-resilient water management, worldwide.

Shaping the Living Wage movement

Our long-term research programme on the Living Wage is shaping national strategy, informing public policy, and improving wages and working conditions for hundreds of thousands across the UK.

Reimagining homes for future living

Researchers at Cardiff University are redefining how homes are designed, transformed and lived in – advancing low-carbon technologies, bio-based materials and co-designed spaces that improve wellbeing and create healthier homes for future generations.

A man in a red, long-sleeve top, light-blue jeans, and a navy baseball cap, is leaning over to pick yellow peppers from their plants with his right arm outstretched. The man is surrounded by tall, green pepper plants and is carrying three yellow peppers in his left arm.

Revealing the hidden links between climate and diet

Through advanced data analysis and global food-system modelling, we’re informing the choices that will shape health for generations.

Unlocking the secrets of the universe

Scientists at Cardiff University are leading breakthroughs in gravitational-wave research, from frontier tests of black-hole physics to advances in quantum technologies.

Exploring ecocriticism through Japanese disaster narratives

PhD student Emily Bush is exploring ecocritical perspectives in media about historical Japanese disasters.

A golden milestone for clinical psychology training in Wales

We look back at 50 years of clinical psychology training at Cardiff University, and speak to staff and students both past and present.

Treating cancer with Salmonella

Alex is developing bacteria to reveal cancerous tumours and activate the immune system in order to treat and remove cancer.

Silencing the messenger in Huntington’s disease

Fundraisers and donors support neuroscience and mental health researchers as they seek to improve diagnoses and treatments for a wide range of neurological conditions.

Giving a new focus to MND research

Fundraisers and donors to neuroscience and mental health are enabling Cardiff University researchers to study otherwise overlooked facets of disease.

Mid-shot man with cap looking into camera

Changing lives with archaeology

Community in Cardiff learns about its past while building a better future.

Joining forces: combining expertise to stop cancer growth

Loren and Saul are two early-career researchers bringing their skills and experience together to develop a new treatment for Glioblastoma.

Images of Research competition winners 2025

Now in its 13th year, the Doctoral Academy’s annual competition challenges postgraduate research students to encapsulate their work through imagery.

Untangling the mysteries of pretend play in parent-child interactions

PhD student Catherine Sheehan is researching the role of pretend play in children’s emotional development.

Cutting through the chaos

Professor Martin Innes’ research on disinformation explores its impact on democratic societies in the information age.

Studying stem cells to better understand Dystonia

Laura Abram (Medicine 2023-) is looking into Dystonia, a neurological condition which causes uncontrollable muscle spasms and is estimated to affect 100,000 people in the UK.

Revealing the anatomy of Welsh using MRI

Our research is helping Welsh learners overcome pronunciation difficulties that impact their confidence and ability to integrate into Welsh-speaking communities.

Cheers to the Students’ Union at 50

In the heart of Cardiff stands a beacon of time, the Cardiff University Students' Union. Its bricks and mortar are a testament to half a century of laughter, camaraderie, and shared experiences.

A self-cleaning product that could mean safer periods for all

Dr Jennifer Edwards (BSc 2003, PhD 2007) and Dr Michael Pascoe (PhD 2020) are developing a self-cleaning period product that could ensure safer periods for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Curbing the spread of tuberculosis

Dr Tamas Barry (MBBCh 2020, PhD Medicine 2022-) is helping to improve tuberculosis diagnosis and care for future generations.

Improving our understanding of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Elle Mawson (Medicine 2021-) is a researcher in the Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute. Inspired by a family member’s struggle, her work is improving our understanding of what’s happening in the brains of patients with psychoses.

Understanding postpartum psychosis

Mothers at risk of developing this severe psychiatric disorder are being better supported due to the work of Professor Ian Jones and his team.

Saving metal heritage for future generations

Our research has guided the decisions saving our metal heritage, from archaeological repositories – containing millions of artefacts charting human history – to iconic ships, including the Mary Rose, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, and the Spanish Armada.

Establishing new worldwide standards of care for prostate cancer patients

Our researchers played leading roles in major clinical trials, which improved the treatment of prostate cancer and influenced the way oncologists monitor their patients and use surgery, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy.

Scaling up the environmentally friendly product of Perspex®

Our research provided the global Perspex® industry with a cost-effective production process, which could be used at scale, delivering significant economic and environmental benefits.

Maximising the benefits of the UK’s wind farms

Our research is helping to modernise energy transmission across the UK and Europe and push us towards the target of net zero carbon emissions.

Pioneering new ways of tackling bacterial contamination

Our research has helped to reduce contamination risk in industry on a global scale.

Protecting communities and preserving environments

Working alongside mining companies all over the world, Professor Wolfgang Maier has helped to prevent the relocation of local communities and protect culturally sensitive land, all whilst providing enormous cost savings.

Listening to survivors of child sexual exploitation

Dr Sophie Hallett’s pioneering research has made young people’s views integral to decisions on their care.

Transforming performances of Carmen on the global stage

Professor Clair Rowden’s research has generated new ways of thinking about one of the world’s most-performed operas, Carmen.

Improving the effectiveness of antimicrobial wipes in healthcare settings

Professor Jean-Yves Maillard’s research, into the effectiveness of antimicrobial wipes, has led to improved infection control measures and significant commercial growth for a leading manufacturer of anti-bacterial cleaning products.

Taking physics to the masses

Our research has helped transform perceptions, teaching practice and public awareness of astronomy.

Detecting the DNA of cyberattacks

A collaboration between Professor Pete Burnap and Airbus has led to a completely novel way of detecting and preventing malicious software.

Reshaping perceptions of the Second World War in France

Individuals’ personal experiences are central to new understandings of this crucial period in history.

Strengthening uptake of the Living Wage across the UK

Research from academics at Cardiff Business School has led to improvements in the working conditions of thousands of people.

Improving dementia communication

Professor Alison Wray’s work on how the social and emotional impact of dementia affects communication is helping people with dementia, their families, and professional carers to navigate the communication challenges they face.

Improving democracy in Wales

Our work on reform of the Senedd, its franchise and electoral system, has led to votes for 16 and 17 year olds, and laid the ground for further substantial reforms to the Senedd’s size and electoral arrangements.

Saving lives with maths

Innovative mathematical modelling is delivering improved cancer outcomes, ambulance response times, and a new NHS contact service.

Pinpointing fuel poverty

Our researchers have developed a new tool which identifies households most in need of support to heat their homes.

Informing Muslims about organ donation

Dr Mansur Ali is helping fellow Muslims explore their faith’s stance on these life-saving procedures.

Shaping broadcasters’ reporting of devolution

Our academics are helping journalists to make sense of the differing COVID-19 rules across the UK.

Strengthening rights and participation under mental capacity law

Dr Lucy Series and colleagues’ work on the Mental Capacity Act strengthened the rights and participation of people who may be considered to lack capacity to make or participate in decisions about their lives.

Image shows stylised image of a brain cell

Improving opportunities for people with Huntington’s disease through physiotherapy

Our research is empowering people with Huntington’s disease to access exercise and physiotherapy to help manage their symptoms.

aerial view of Cardiff showing teh castle and stadium and environs

Reforming homelessness legislation in Wales

Dr Pete Mackie’s research into Welsh homelessness legislation led to the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, and has informed policy debates in Scotland, Canada, and Australia.

Transforming relationships and sex education

Professor EJ Renold’s work has made sure the views of young people are central to new legislation and policies.

A firefighter carrying equipment walks away from a fire engine toward a building.

Improving decision-making in the emergency services

Our ground-breaking research has improved how the emergency services think, behave, and respond in emergency situations.