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.

UNC Charlotte partners with NuSpot Technologies to develop COVID-19 rapid testing device

April 19, 2021

UNC Charlotte has partnered with Charlotte-based NuSpot Technologies to develop and advance a revolutionary technology of transforming the detection of viruses such as COVID-19 as well as cancers, toxins, strokes and a variety of diseases.

Professor’s new book explores African-Brazilian dance

March 23, 2021

A new book by Assistant Professor of Dance Tamara Williams explores Silvestre Technique, the contemporary dance technique founded by Rosangela Silvestre as an extension of the spiritual dance traditions of enslaved Africans in Brazil.

Ogundiran receives First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal

March 22, 2021

Akin Ogundiran, a Chancellor’s Professor and professor of Africana Studies, Anthropology and History, is the 2021 recipient of the First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal, UNC Charlotte’s most prestigious faculty award, in recognition of excellence in research.

Building a Nucleus: Early-career researchers help drive UNC Charlotte’s reputation

March 19, 2021

NSF CAREER Awards enable the University’s researchers to pursue work that points to a ‘lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.’

UNC Charlotte researchers: family businesses are ‘essential to economic and social prosperity’

March 10, 2021

Two UNC Charlotte Belk College of Business faculty researchers have used their expertise to update a groundbreaking study that aims to help policymakers better understand family-owned businesses and their impact on the U.S. economy.

N.C. forecast: COVID-19 is no longer driving the economy

March 5, 2021

Belk College economist John Connaughton sees the state’s economy bouncing back as vaccines become more readily available.

Criminology professor Shannon Reid discusses alt-right extremists

February 24, 2021

To most observers, the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, illustrates how extremist groups have increased in power and visibility. UNC Charlotte’s Shannon Reid, associate professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, views the criminality and violence exhibited during the Capitol riots a major concern.