Lead by Professor Leon Cruickshank, ‘Beyond Imagination’ explores and demonstrates how cutting-edge design research can create a healthier, more prosperous and sustainable world. Funded by Research England, this £13.2 million 3-year project puts design research at Lancaster firmly on the global map, transforming the University’s ImaginationLancaster design team with the 33 new roles – a significant increase. The investment will create a critical mass of new researchers, who will be inducted into the culture of research excellence in ImaginationLancaster allowing the team to expand its research and its expertise. The three-year project which will provide fresh perspectives on real world challenges focusing on key clusters and themes.
It will address current global challenges such as Ageing Society, Artificial Intelligence and Data, Clean Growth, Health and Wellbeing – and it will also identify and tackle future emerging complex, global challenges. The expansion of ImaginationLancaster will mean that all areas of design including architectural design are developed, and will feed into the University’s new School of Architecture as well as design.