Lancaster University celebrates success of industry-academia innovation partnership

By Rob Kelly

15 May 2025

Participants Celebrated Lancaster University's Role In The Centre For Digital Innovation Programme At A Showcase Event

Pioneering collaborations by Lancaster University experts bringing together academia and industry has led to new innovations and economic growth opportunities.

 Lancaster University’s role within the Centre for Digital Innovation (CDI) programme, has led to the development of 17 new products and services, including a 3D-printing solution for dental nurse exams and an AI tool to create ethical, and sustainable social media content.

 The programme forms part of the Government’s £100 million Innovation Accelerators initiative.

Lancaster University is one of five key educational delivery partners for CDI, which is led by Manchester Metropolitan University and funded through Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.

Other delivery partners include the University of Salford, University of Manchester and Greater Manchester Colleges Group.

The university has transformed academic research into practical, industry-driven solutions.

These innovations through the CDI have not only created new jobs but also provided 18 students with paid internships and industry placements, offering them invaluable real-world experience.

 The wider CDI programme has attracted nearly £3 million in co-investment from 24 industry partners, including Fujitsu, IBM, Cisco, and 3DGBIRE, providing businesses with access to cutting-edge digital technologies and expertise.

 Lancaster, and other partners’ commitment to skills development through CDI has also been a key pillar of its success. 

 Through roadshows, workshops, and targeted training, more than 600 businesses and nearly 1,000 individuals across the North West have enhanced their digital skills and cybersecurity know-how through the overall CDI programme.

Additionally, the programme's outreach to over 50 schools and local groups is empowering the next generation of digital innovators.

 At a recent Lancaster CDI showcase event, Dr Rebecca Robinson, programme lead at Lancaster University, emphasised how CDI has positioned itself as a key driver of the region's digital economy.

 She said: “By fostering collaboration between academia, business, industry and communities, CDI has positioned itself as a linchpin for the region’s digital economy, equipping businesses with the tools they need to excel and creating pathways for the next generation of digital innovators to thrive. 

 “The impact of CDI has been extraordinary. Its legacy will be seen in the continued growth of businesses, the success stories of students entering the workforce, and the enduring impact on regional prosperity as a leader in digital innovation.”

 The showcase event, held at the Royal Kings Arms in Lancaster, also heard from Lancaster University students and businesses who benefited from collaborative projects, funded through CDI.

 Liam Brennan developed GhostPosts, a cutting-edge tool that uses AI to create ethical, cybersecure and environmentally sustainable social media content, thanks to the support through Lancaster University.

 He said: “The university has gone above and beyond to support my ideas. It demonstrates the fundamental role academia takes in linking research and development to real world application.”

 Sophie Little, a final year BEng (Hons) mechanical engineering student at Lancaster University, collaborated with the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN), based in Preston, to develop a 3D printed pressure sensing dental model to help with practical exam assessments.

 Sophie said: “To be able to create something novel and innovative and embed it into my degree has been brilliant. This project gave me huge confidence as I embark on my engineering career.”

 Professor Allan Rennie, Lancaster University’s academic lead for CDI, said the university’s role in the CDI programme has cemented its position as a leader in digital research and innovation. 

 He said: “The university’s expertise in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and industrial digitalisation has been instrumental in the success of the CDI programme.

"By collaborating with other regional universities and industry leaders, we’ve helped create a world-class research and innovation hub in Greater Manchester, driving regional economic growth and enhancing the UK’s global competitiveness.”

 Following the CDI programme's success, the government has announced an extension for a further 12 months until March 2026, ensuring continued support for digital innovation, skills development, and business growth across the North West.

 To find out more about the Centre for Digital Innovation, visit centrefordigitalinnovation.ac.uk. 

 

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Employer event to help keep region’s workers healthy Ben Harrison

Employer event to help keep region’s workers healthy

19 Jun 2025

2

Plan to get Lancashire working Lancashire Combined Authority

Plan to get Lancashire working

19 Jun 2025

3

Napthens confirms expansion into Manchester Stephen Faulkner

Napthens confirms expansion into Manchester

18 Jun 2025

4

Counting the cost of work-related illness David Dunwell and Jen Briggs

Counting the cost of work-related illness

17 Jun 2025

5

Where there's a Will there's a way to protect your legacy Olivia Holt

Where there's a Will there's a way to protect your legacy

17 Jun 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

90 day Business Planning Workshop
LBV Event Header.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

90 day Business Planning Workshop

Bolton Arena, Arena Approach, Horwich, BL6 6LB

09:00 - 16:30

Chamber Business Lunch – June
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – June

Lancaster House Hotel, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4GL

11:00 - 13:30

Moonlight and Memories Walk 2025
MMW.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
21 Jun 2025 - 21 Jun 2025

Moonlight and Memories Walk 2025

St Catherine's Hospice, Preston, PR5 5XU

18:00 - 23:00

Emergency First Aid at Work – June 2025
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
23 Jun 2025 - 23 Jun 2025

Emergency First Aid at Work – June 2025

FGH Training 3rd Floor, Storey House, White Cross Business Park,, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

09:00 - 16:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin