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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.

University creates Project Mosaic to enhance social/behavioral science research

November 7, 2013
UNC Charlotte has established Project Mosaic, an initiative that will be led by Knight Foundation Distinguished Professor Jean-Claude Thill to enhance the University’s social and behavioral science research. The divisions of Academic Affairs and Research and Economic Development are funding the campus-wide effort, which will be housed in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Knight Foundation grant will boost Urban Institute’s ‘City of Creeks’ project

November 4, 2013
The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute’s online publication PlanCharlotte.org has won a $12,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to boost a project that will look at Charlotte’s creeks.

EPIC to partner on SunShot grant with startup firm

November 1, 2013
The University’s Energy Production and Infrastructure Center is a partner on a $620,000 federal grant to develop a molecule inverter that mounts on solar panels. EPIC will work with clean-energy startup SineWatts, according to an article in the Charlotte Business Journal.

Africana studies seeking papers for April symposium

October 29, 2013
The Department of Africana Studies in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences will hold its 12th annual Africana Studies Symposium in April 2014. It will examine the “widening gaps of national and global inequality through the lens of moral economy.”

CCI’s Hajja to defend dissertation

October 28, 2013
Ayman Hajja, a Ph.D. student in computing and information systems in the College of Computing and Informatics, will defend “Object-driven and Temporal Action Rules Mining” at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, in the College of Health and Human Services, Room 426. Zbigniew Ras is the dissertation advisor.

CLAS hosting visiting faculty from Kingston University

October 24, 2013
Three dance and theatre professors from London’s Kingston University will visit UNC Charlotte to collaborate on a planned student theatrical production. They will be working with Maryrica Lottman, associate professor of Spanish.

Communication studies faculty member receives national honor

October 23, 2013
Rachel Plotnick, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies, has received the IEEE Life Members’ Prize in Electrical History – a top national honor.

Computing and information systems student to defend dissertation

October 21, 2013
Andrea Nickel, a doctoral student in the College of Computing and Informatics, will defend “Designing Better Exergames: Application of Flow Concepts and the FITT Principle to Full Body Exertion Games and Flexible Challenge Systems” at 1:45 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28, in Woodward Hall, Room 338. Tiffany Barnes is the dissertation advisor.

CCI’s Dhou to defend dissertation

October 21, 2013
Khaldoon Dhou, a doctoral student in the College of Computing and Informatics, will defend “Toward Better Understanding of Users’ Perception in Tag Clouds: Size Judgment and Comparison” at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 4, in the Student Union, Room 340C. Mirsad Hadzikadic is the dissertation advisor.

University to host statewide undergraduate research symposium

October 16, 2013
On Saturday, Nov. 16, undergraduate students from across North Carolina will come to UNC Charlotte to present research at a statewide symposium.

Graduate student’s park design under consideration

October 15, 2013
A vision for a new central park in Reid Park Neighborhood on Charlotte’s west side is moving closer to reality. It is based on work by UNC Charlotte’s Dylan McKnight, who is pursuing master’s degrees in urban design and community planning.

University’s Solar Decathlon entry wins People’s Choice Award, places third in engineering category

October 14, 2013
UrbanEden, UNC Charlotte’s entry for the 2013 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, won the People’s Choice Award at the contest finals in California.