The School has a strong track record in applied and interdisciplinary research and innovation over the past 30 years. This is to increase significantly in the coming years in the context of the new university and making an even greater impact at local, regional, national and international levels. The very successful and nationally recognised SEAM Research Centre is based within the School and will continue to expand. The Department of Engineering Technology and Department of Architecture & the Built Environment are also developing their existing research groups. These groups are likely to merge in many cases to enhance collaboration and address interdisciplinary challenges of ‘making a better world’.