Friday, 05 February 2021
The University of Nottingham is establishing a research base in Italy that will strengthen both its close alliances with Europe’s aerospace leaders and its position at the forefront of technological innovation in green aviation.
Situated in the Campania region, the University of Nottingham Italy (UnIT) will allow its researchers to participate in High Technology-Readiness Level (TRL) aerospace programmes and maintain access to key industrial partners such as Leonardo, Airbus, Rolls-Royce Deutschland, Safran, Liebherr and Thales.
Campania is home to the Italian National Centre for Aerospace Research (CIRA), and significant aerospace industries, including one of the University of Nottingham’s long-standing partners, Leonardo Aircraft Division – the second largest manufacturer of aircraft in Europe.
“I am extremely happy that our strong links and great history of cooperation with the Italian aerospace community has achieved a new strategic level with the establishment of University of Nottingham Italy. Our presence in the heart of Italian aerospace, in the Campania Region, creates exciting opportunities and enforces our University position as a leader in research towards future green aviation.
Chris Gerada, Professor of Electrical Machines in the Faculty of Engineering, said: “Establishing a research base in Italy is exciting for us. It underlines our capabilities and is testament to the strengths of our existing partnerships with Europe’s aerospace leaders. It also demonstrates our determination to explore new collaborations in the journey towards low-emission, sustainable air travel.
“Participation in the proposed European Partnership for Clean Aviation and other Large Scale Demonstrator programmes has the potential to exploit the University’s research expertise related to the electrification of aircraft, advanced manufacturing technologies and other key areas such as hydrogen energy systems.”
Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University said: “The University of Nottingham in Italy is a testament to our strategic ambitions as a global university; playing to our research strengths in sustainable aerospace technologies, and together with our European partners, will help to deliver aviation’s net zero commitments.”
Nottingham is already the leading university contributor to Clean Sky 2, Europe’s largest research programme focussed on the reduction of emissions and increasing the competitiveness of the aeronautics industry.
Through its Institute for Aerospace Technology, the University is now planning to work with aviation leaders on the European Partnership for Clean Aviation, which is due to go online in 2021. This will be the European Union’s flagship programme dedicated to reducing the impact of aviation on the planet and strengthening the technological leadership of the region’s aerospace industry.
Nottingham has attracted £19.5m from Clean Sky 2, and its current EU-funded aerospace research portfolio is £24.5m - 40 per cent of the University’s EU portfolio. Nottingham’s participation in Clean Sky 2 has led to direct research investment by several aerospace Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), expansion of the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Gas Turbines Transmission Systems and a partnership with TT Electronics.
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More information is available from Professor Chris Gerada on 0115 8466117 or Chris.Gerada@nottingham.ac.uk or Emma Lowry (Media Relations Manager, Engineering) on 0115 84 67156 or emma.lowry@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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