Research & Impact at CRAS

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Overview
CRAS is a specialist institution committed to research‑driven, applied education that creates measurable impact. Our research is grounded in real‑world challenges and designed to inform practice, shape policy, and empower communities.
We believe that knowledge should serve society and our research agenda reflects that purpose.

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Research Themes
CRAS focuses on interdisciplinary, socially relevant research across the following domains:

• Applied Social Research — inequality, migration, education, justice

• Health and Social Care Innovation — service delivery, community health, policy reform

• Digital Futures & Cyber Security — ethical tech, data protection, digital inclusion

• Business & Governance — organisational resilience, ethical leadership, inclusive economies

• Law & Policy — access to justice, human rights, regulatory reform

• Tourism & Development — sustainable models, cultural heritage, economic impact

• Education & Lifelong Learning — pedagogy, accessibility, adult learning systems

 

Each theme is led by academic staff and supported by student research, industry collaboration, and community engagement.

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Research Outputs
CRAS produces:

• Applied research papers

• Policy briefs

• Community impact reports

• Practitioner toolkits

• Student research portfolios

• Webinar recordings and expert panels

These outputs are accessible via the CRAS Portal and shared with partners, educators, and policymakers.

 

Student Research

CRAS empowers students to become active researchers through:

• Research‑embedded programmes

• Independent study modules

• Supervised projects

• Community‑based inquiry

• Digital publication opportunities

Student research is showcased annually and contributes to CRAS’s institutional knowledge base.

 

Community Impact
CRAS research drives change through:

• Local partnerships

• Policy influence

• Service innovation

• Knowledge transfer

• Public engagement

We work with NGOs, local authorities, and sector bodies to ensure our research serves real needs.

 

Research Integrity
CRAS upholds the highest standards of research ethics, including:

• Informed consent

• Data protection

• Transparency

• Academic honesty

• Inclusive methodologies

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All research is reviewed by our Ethics Panel and aligned with UK sector standards.

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Partner With Us
CRAS welcomes collaboration with:

• Academic institutions

• Research bodies

• Community organisations

• Government agencies

• Industry partners

To explore partnership opportunities, contact: research@cras.org.uk