Ways to Engage
UKRRIN has been established to deliver a step-change in collaboration between the railway industry, universities, business of all shapes and sizes, and infrastructure owners to develop research and deliver innovation. The network is always growing, building on the strong foundation of the Centres of Excellence and existing industry partners.
Why get involved?
UKRRIN connects you with leading facilities and internationally-recognised academic experts in the railway industry, saving you time and effort in finding specific expertise for your research, development, or innovation idea. Academic groups collaborate with industry to advance world-class research outputs and the Unipart Rail Technology & Innovation hub supports your route to market and product/service launch.
Meet UKRRIN members at Railway Industry Association events, open to all. Explore UKRRIN research case studies on SPARK – the rail knowledge hub.
UKRRIN accelerates product development through Technology Readiness Levels to commercialisation, de-risking investment and verifying business cases. UKRRIN also offers Co-location with experts to accelerate R&D ideas and develop new skills and training for exploitation of research ideas.
World-class research capabilities
Access key UK rail research facilities and bespoke test equipment
Your challenges and research needs prioritised by academia
Accelerated innovation journey and higher chances of success
Work across the RD&T spectrum-immediate problems to fundamental research
A range of collaboration models and funding opportunities
Access dedicated engagement events with academia
How can I access the facilities?
The universities that have been selected by industry based on their existing, and planned capabilities and facilities. The institutions have specific skills that are needed to deliver rail innovation covering core railway research topics.
For advice and information on the capabilities and facilities at the Centres of Excellence and in the wider network contact the network hub at UKRRIN@rssb.co.uk
If you would like to contact any of the centres directly the details for each of the Centres of Excellence can be found on the Contact us page
See our events page for upcoming activities that might be of interest to you and your organisation.
Contact us
Coordinating Hub
To find out more about the network, make enquiries or find out how you can get involved contact us at ukrrin@rssb.co.uk
Centre of Excellence in Digital Systems
Paul Plummer
Director, Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education
University of Birmingham B15 2TT
Tel: 01214 144 306
Email: p.plummer@bham.ac.uk
Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock
Paul Allen
Director of the Institute of Railway Research
University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH
Tel: 01484 257 189
Mobile: 07879 681 500
Email: p.d.allen@hud.ac.uk
Centre of Excellence in Infrastructure
Rod Anderson
Rail Research Coordinator
University of Southampton, Engineering and the Environment, University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ
Mobile: 07733 294 221
Email: railresearch@soton.ac.uk
