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.

Butterfly Highway: Graduate student creates citizen science network

June 4, 2015

When people consider biodiversity, they often think of far-flung Amazon rainforests or vibrant coral reefs in tropical seas.

CLAS researcher named National Humanities Center Fellow

May 5, 2015

Chair of the Africana Studies Department Akin Ogundiran has been named a National Humanities Center Fellow for the upcoming academic year. He will join 36 other distinguished scholars from 32 institutions across the United States and eight foreign countries working on a wide array of projects as part of this competitive, prestigious fellowship program.

Study shows homeless housing program continues to improve lives, save money

April 29, 2015

A nationally recognized program to house Charlotte’s chronically homeless continues to help people and save money as it enters its fourth year, according to a UNC Charlotte report. The 85-unit apartment complex at Moore Place provides housing for individuals who have extensive histories of homelessness and at least one disabling condition.

Engineering students win 3D printing competition

April 29, 2015

Four UNC Charlotte Lee College of Engineering students recently won a 3D printing design competition sponsored by the U.S. Army Research Office. They were part of a team that also included one other college student and an active duty Army representative

LaMattina named director of research

April 15, 2015

Engineer Bruce LaMattina has joined the Charlotte Research Institute as director of research. Prior to the University, he was director of federal research relations development at Rutgers University.

Engineer gets $500K NSF award for wind energy research

April 1, 2015

Chris Vermillion, an assistant professor in the William States Lee College of Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, has won a $500,000 National Science Foundation CAREER award to further his research in creating low-cost methodologies that optimize the combined physical system and controller for high-altitude wind energy systems.

Unraveling cystic fibrosis puzzle, taking it personally matters

March 26, 2015

In the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis (CF), the most severe symptoms are recurring episodes of lung inflammation and bacterial infection (known as “exacerbations”) that happen from one to three times a year and cause ever-increasing amounts of lung damage through the course of a CF patient’s life.