Research Signature Areas
Cultural vibrancy & community connection
UNC Charlotte doesn’t just study communities—we thrive with them. As an anchor, forever institution grounded in Charlotte, our researchers partner with local leaders and regional stakeholders to solve real-world challenges. Pairing academic innovation with local expertise, we are building a thriving community, improving lives, and strengthening neighborhoods.
A National Leader in Childhood Literacy!
EDUCATION
UNC Charlotte research lives in the classroom. Deeply connected to regional K-12 schools, our researchers are transforming early childhood literacy and teacher development. By mentoring NC Pre-K educators, directly elevating teacher quality, and introducing proven, research-driven classroom models, we are actively shaping the future of education.
Where Discovery Meets Humanity!
hEALTH & lIFE sCIENCES
From groundbreaking lab discoveries to shaping healthier neighborhoods, UNC Charlotte is transforming health. Our researchers are pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment, bioinformatics, and biomedical engineering, and community health, serving as the region’s premier talent pipeline for the rapidly growing life sciences sector.
Research to Innovation. Innovation to Impact.
Business innovation & entrepreneurship
From launching market-ready ventures to fueling a global financial hub, UNC Charlotte is driving business innovation. Our researchers are pushing the boundaries of patent productivity, startup creation, and entrepreneurship, and leadership, serving as the region’s premier talent pipeline for the rapidly growing financial and business sectors.
Securing the Next Century of Power!
ENERGY
We aren’t just imagining the future of energy—we are actively building the infrastructure to power it. Our researchers are pushing the boundaries of grid modernization, integration, and power engineering for a reliable, resilient energy future, deploying lab-tested research to the front lines of grid security, all while serving as the premier talent pipeline for a thriving energy workforce.
Pioneering Innovation for a Sustainable Tomorrow
Advanced Manufacturing & Optics
At UNC Charlotte, we are redefining how the world designs, measures, and manufactures. By blending cutting-edge digital engineering with pioneering research in optical design, micro-optics, and precision measurement, our innovators are translating laboratory breakthroughs straight to the factory floor and into commercialized products.
Securing Tomorrow’s Tech With Integrity
ai, dATA SCIENCE & CYBERSECURITY
UNC Charlotte is defining the digital future. From pioneering trustworthy artificial intelligence to safeguarding our digital infrastructure, our researchers are transforming interdisciplinary discoveries into ethical, real-world solutions that push the boundaries of cybersecurity, data science, and machine learning. We are preparing a future-ready workforce for a rapidly-evolving digital sector.
Accelerating Mission Critical Technologies
Defense and Intelligence
UNC Charlotte is advancing next generation innovations that support national defense and intelligence. Our researchers are accelerating mission-driven research and deploying adaptable, soldier-ready technologies directly to the field as a premier, multidisciplinary innovation hub.