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Research

Research is fundamental to the mission of UNC Charlotte. New knowledge and creative works change the world and shape the future of the University. Charlotte values research in all its forms, including scholarly inquiry, discovery, exploration, innovation, entrepreneurship, creative activities, community engagement and/or interdisciplinary endeavors.

UNC Charlotte’s research endeavors are distinct:

  • Among the 229 public doctoral-granting research universities in the United States, 124 hold the Carnegie Community Engaged University classification. Carnegie’s community engagement classification signifies that UNC Charlotte collaborates with its larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in the context of partnership and reciprocity
  • UNC Charlotte is among the 80 public universities that have earned the APLU's Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities designation recognizes that UNC Charlotte has demonstrated a meaningful, ongoing and substantial commitment to economic and community development, growth and economic opportunity

Significant research activities are focused in UNC System recognized centers and institutes. And in 2023, Charlotte launched 12 new pilot centers to foster synergistic research initiatives. In 2022, Ventureprise became the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Political Science researcher receives First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal

March 11, 2020
James Walsh, a core faculty member in the Public Policy program and professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, is the 2020 recipient of the First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal.

Economic forecast: ‘sluggish growth’ for rest of 2020

March 11, 2020
John Connaughton, Barings Professor of Financial Economics at UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business, is forecasting an extended period of “sluggish growth” for the state’s economy in 2020. 

Engineering researchers awarded federal grant to advance solar energy management

February 24, 2020
Sukumar Kamalasadan, Duke Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is the principal investigator for a federally funded project to advance solar energy’s role in strengthening the resilience of the U.S. electricity grid.

Tankersley appointed to North Carolina Board of Science, Technology and Innovation

February 7, 2020
Richard Tankersley, UNC Charlotte’s vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development, has been named by Gov. Roy Cooper to the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Charisma: You don’t have to be born with it, to lead with it

January 29, 2020
Business professors George Banks and Janaki Gooty are at the forefront of cutting-edge scientific research to better understand the specific behaviors effective leaders use to gain workers’ support toward a shared vision and commitment. They talk about why it's important to study leadership in this Q&A.

New research could help address threats to reefs

January 22, 2020
A new study published in Nature Communications by a research team including UNC Charlotte lead author Tingting Xiang sheds light on how sea anemones, which are closely related to coral, control the size of their algal populations.

Professor receives prize for ‘Best Book in Modern French History’

January 21, 2020
 A book by UNC Charlotte History professor Christine Haynes has been chosen the best in modern French history (post 1815) over the previous two years, receiving the inaugural Weber Book Prize from the UCLA Department of History.

EPIC receives grant to partner on power grid research

December 19, 2019
UNC Charlotte's Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC), the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have received a $300,000 competitive award from the U.S.

Economist forecasts continued growth for 2020

December 11, 2019
John Connaughton, Barings Professor of Financial Economics in UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business, stated the nation and state’s economic growth will continue in 2020.

Archaeologists discover infants wearing skull helmets, in unique ancient burial practice

December 10, 2019
Two infants unearthed in ancient burial mounds in Salango, Ecuador, were buried wearing helmets crafted from the skulls of other children, in what researchers believe was a unique practice perhaps intended to protect the infants’ souls during their journey to the afterlife.

Unemployment encourages men to seek traditionally female jobs

December 9, 2019
Unemployment significantly increases the odds of men entering jobs traditionally held by women. And, according to new research, some men experience advantages such as earning higher wages and enjoying increased occupational prestige versus previous employment.

Researcher helping UNC Charlotte address food insecurity

December 4, 2019
UNC Charlotte Anthropology professor Nicole Peterson has conducted research on the topic of food insecurity within the greater Charlotte area. But when the Jamil Niner Student Pantry opened on campus in 2014, Peterson decided to conduct her research closer to home.