SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 2025 Report
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
The University of Huddersfield is driving innovation and sustainable industrial growth through impactful research, strong industry partnerships, and high graduate employability. Key collaborations include supporting the TransPennine Route Upgrade via the Institute of Railway Research and developing sustainable packaging solutions through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. With cutting-edge research in AI for public transport and infrastructure, the University is contributing to more resilient, inclusive and future-ready systems locally, nationally, and globally.
Learning for students
TEF Gold Rated
University of Huddersfield
The University of Huddersfield’s strong focus on graduate outcomes was recognised with a Triple Gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). This continues a legacy of teaching excellence, following a Gold award in 2017 and recognition in the inaugural Global Teaching Excellence Award. Our graduates also play a vital role in powering the Leeds City Region economy - the largest outside London and the South East - and are making an impact in over 130 countries worldwide.
Public and business engagement
The University is committed to building strong relationships with a diverse range of external partners, including those in industry and the professions. Working towards a target of 5,000 unique end-user engagements annually by 2025, the University recorded approximately 4,500 such interactions during the 2023–24 academic year.
Our partnerships
Institute of Railway Research (IRR)
The University’s renowned Institute of Railway Research (IRR) was selected to join forces with the TransPennine Route Upgrade, a multi-billion-pound railway programme between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. The upgrade will connect towns and cities across the North through more frequent, faster trains, running on a cleaner, greener and more reliable railway. The programme is committed to full electrification, using electricity instead of diesel, benefitting both passengers and industrial freight transport. The IRR is supporting the design work of the overhead wiring through its in-house developed simulation software.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership – Puffin Packaging
The University has teamed up with Puffin Packaging and the national wool organisation to develop a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), which has resulted in the launch of a new sustainable packaging liner. The KTP - recently awarded ‘Outstanding’ by Innovate UK – has developed cost-effective sustainable packaging, an alternative to polystyrene and the only certified 100% British Wool cold chain insulated packaging product in the world. The decision to use British wool was driven by a desire to find sustainable uses for the material while supporting local farmers and preserving the tradition of British agriculture.
Our research
- Research groups, centres and institutes across the University are delivering research and knowledge transfer activity, which enables sustainable growth. All research activity is mapped against the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Research contract income in 2023/24 stood at £14.6m.
AI Approaches on Urban Public Transport Routing
Researchers from the University’s Centre for Autonomous and Intelligent Systems are exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve public transport systems by making them more efficient, reliable, and responsive to changing travel demands. It focuses particularly on how AI can optimize route design for both fuel-powered and electric vehicles. The study reviews AI techniques like genetic algorithms and simulated annealing and highlights the importance of using diverse data sets to manage different types of transport services. It also looks at how emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles could further enhance public transport.
Find further information
Sustainable buildings
Explore the WELL Building Standard incorporating sustainability best practices into our newly constructed buildings such as our Jo Cox and Daphne Steele buildings.
Working with businesses
Explore the ways in which we work with businesses and how we can support through the likes of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and programmes for business growth.
Our research
We recognise the importance of looking beyond academia to research and address global challenges and make a real difference, socially and economically.
Sustainable Development Goals
Click to explore our other sustainable development goal pages and get to know how we're working towards these at the University of Huddersfield.