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Research

Research is fundamental to the mission of UNC Charlotte. New knowledge and creative works change the world and shape the future of the University. Charlotte values research in all its forms, including scholarly inquiry, discovery, exploration, innovation, entrepreneurship, creative activities, community engagement and/or interdisciplinary endeavors.

UNC Charlotte’s research endeavors are distinct:

  • Among the 229 public doctoral-granting research universities in the United States, 124 hold the Carnegie Community Engaged University classification. Carnegie’s community engagement classification signifies that UNC Charlotte collaborates with its larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in the context of partnership and reciprocity
  • UNC Charlotte is among the 80 public universities that have earned the APLU's Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities designation recognizes that UNC Charlotte has demonstrated a meaningful, ongoing and substantial commitment to economic and community development, growth and economic opportunity

Significant research activities are focused in UNC System recognized centers and institutes. And in 2023, Charlotte launched 12 new pilot centers to foster synergistic research initiatives. In 2022, Ventureprise became the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

School of Social Work wins $1.8 million grant to improve access to behavioral health

September 25, 2017
The UNC Charlotte School of Social Work has received a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand integrated care practices across the Charlotte region.

Engineering professor talks coal ash research

September 8, 2017
John Daniels, professor and chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, talks about the latest development in coal ash research, including ways to make it a better material. To watch the video, click ‘Read More.’

Slow economic growth to continue for North Carolina

September 7, 2017
The North Carolina economy is expected to continue the slow growth pattern of the past eight years, with strong indicators from low unemployment rates and long-term projections for GDP growth, UNC Charlotte professor and economist John Connaughton said.

Summer study – undergraduates conduct coral reef research

August 30, 2017
The health of the world’s coral reefs garners much media attention, especially related to bleaching and global warming and concerns about chemicals, such as sunscreens and other toxic elements, that could be damaging these fragile ecosystems. Two undergraduate students conducted research this summer with Amy Ringwood, UNC Charlotte associate professor of biology, that focused on coral restoration...

Researchers to study method for supporting grandparents raising grandchildren

August 9, 2017
A new UNC Charlotte study is set to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention aimed at supporting grandparents raising their grandchildren.

Historian compares treatment of nomadic people by U.S., Russia

August 9, 2017
As UNC Charlotte historian Steven Sabol sees it, his new book is a happy coincidence of fly-fishing and history. During a 2006 fishing trip to trout-filled Nez Perce Creek in Yellowstone National Park, Sabol spied a sign with tantalizingly scant details about the flight of the Nez Perce through the park in the 19th century.

UNC Charlotte researchers, community organizations advancing ‘The Charlotte Girl’

August 3, 2017
“The Story of the Charlotte Girl” is one of opportunities and resources, and it is the focus of a nearly yearlong initiative of UNC Charlotte’s Women + Girls Research Alliance.

East Charlotte reading camp a promising model for future programs

August 3, 2017
A summer camp designed by the Cato College of Education is providing a free, literacy-rich experience for dozens of east Charlotte elementary students while helping researchers uncover best practices for programs of the future.

University’s revolutionary additive manufacturing partnership showcased

August 3, 2017
UNC Charlotte, N.C. A&T University and N.C. State University are researching additive manufacturing through a Research Opportunities Initiative grant from UNC General Administration.

Thinking spatially – balloon exercise helps students perceive time/space relationships

August 2, 2017
As part of a geography class on spatial thinking, a team of UNC Charlotte students launched a balloon outfitted with a camera to take aerial photographs of the campus. Later, they pieced the images together to form a map.

Outstanding summer scholars recognized at research symposium

July 31, 2017
More than 100 undergraduate students competed in this year’s Charlotte Research Scholars Symposium, recently held as part of a University summer program for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees.

CCI professor wins NSF Career Award

July 25, 2017
Erik Saule, an assistant professor in the College of Computing and Informatics’ Department of Computer Science, has been awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Award for his research in graph analytics.