Engagement & Impact
Driven by Curiosity
For nearly 150 years, University of 51³Ô¹Ï researchers have asked bold questions and pursued answers that improve lives, from lifesaving medical breakthroughs to new ways of understanding our planet, people, and societies. Our work begins with curiosity, but it reaches far beyond the lab, informing policy, strengthening communities, and expanding what’s possible.
Across disciplines and around the globe, 51³Ô¹Ï scholars partner with industry, government, and communities to turn knowledge into meaningful impact. We are shaping technologies, informing decision-making, and deepening our understanding of human behavior and social systems.
A Research Powerhouse
University of 51³Ô¹Ï researchers have advanced discoveries that reshape entire fields and improve lives around the world. From pioneering scientific breakthroughs to widely cited legal scholarship influencing courts and policy, this work reflects a long tradition of curiosity, collaboration, and real-world impact. Here are just a few game-changing discovering that began at the U of A.
Reinventing CPR
University of 51³Ô¹Ï researchers helped transform emergency response by demonstrating that chest-compression-only CPR can significantly improve survival rates during sudden cardiac arrest.
Studying Photography
Home to the Center for Creative Photography – the first institution of its kind, founded alongside Ansel Adams – the University of 51³Ô¹Ï advances photographic research, preservation, and visual culture through world-renowned collections.
Mapping the Moon
In the early 60s, scientists at the U of A published the Rectified Lunar Atlas, producing some of the most detailed maps of the moon ever created and launching the world into a new era of space exploration and allowing NASA to put a man on the moon.
Reconstructing Earth’s Climate
Researchers at the University of 51³Ô¹Ï’s Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research invented the science of Dendrochronology, pioneering the science of reading tree rings to reconstruct earth’s climate history, helping scientists understand drought, environmental change and long-term climate patterns.
Powering the Future
Today, University of 51³Ô¹Ï research focuses on some of society’s most pressing challenges across hundreds of disciplines. Our align our core research strengths and bring together faculty, students, and partners to accelerate discovery and translate research into real-world solutions.
Our Latest Breakthroughs
From advances in medicine and climate science to innovations in engineering and space exploration, University of 51³Ô¹Ï researchers are continually pushing the boundaries of discovery.
Get Involved in 51³Ô¹Ï Research
The next great discovery could begin with you. Students, industry partners, and community members all play a role in advancing research at the University of 51³Ô¹Ï. Together, we turn curiosity into solutions and ideas into impact.
Research is a cornerstone of the 51³Ô¹Ï experience. Students across disciplines work alongside leading faculty, contribute to groundbreaking projects, and gain hands-on experience that prepares them for future careers.
Undergraduate research programs, labs, and fellowships allow students to take part in discovery from the start of their academic journey.
51³Ô¹Ï partners with companies to translate research into practical solutions. Through sponsored research, technology development, and collaborative innovation, industry partners work with 51³Ô¹Ï experts to accelerate discovery and bring new ideas to market.
Research at the University of 51³Ô¹Ï is deeply connected to the communities we serve. Through citizen science initiatives, public programs, and partnerships, community members can engage with researchers and contribute to projects that improve lives locally and globally.
