Courses
Research and Innovation
Welcome to our Research and Innovation Hub
From Research To Regional Enterprise
Research at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is driven by regional innovation and collaboration across our nine campuses in the West and Northwest of Ireland. ATU researchers collaborate with industry, communities, and international partners to address challenges across sustainability, digital transformation, health, and more. Our network of research centres and innovation hubs support applied research to drive economic and social development.
Explore Our Impact
Ideas to Enterprise
Our researchers, entrepreneurs and enterprise partners are turning ideas into solutions that support the needs of our communities and industries.
AI & Technology
Artificial intelligence and technology are reshaping how we learn, work, create and care for one another. Our researchers and staff explore AI’s impact across healthcare, education, sport, ethics and accessibility.
Oceans
Researchers, students, and local partnerships support our connection to marine environments and create sustainable solutions for blue spaces.
Connect with Research Experts
Explore PURE Portal for our latest research publications, academic profiles, and collaborative projects.
Visit PURE Portal
RISE@ATU
Research Centres
Our Research Track Record
According to the Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey 2025, ATU topped the national rankings for the number of research engagements with companies, delivering 135 collaborative projects last year.
Of these projects:
• 99% were with Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
• 65% were with companies based in the Northern and Western region.
• 42% were repeat business.
• Projects were across a wide range of areas with the most in the areas of Future Networks, Communications and Internet of Things (54%) and Manufacturing and Novel Materials (37%).
This performance highlights our strategic role in driving innovation-led growth across the Northern and Western region and beyond.
Read about our achievement here.
ATU Community Engagement Activities
Community-based Research Projects
We lead, collaborate, and support many community-based research projects. Projects are undertaken to support community development, inform social issues that may exist in communities, provide an evidence base for community development, and enhance the community for its citizens.
Work Integrated Learning
Over 200 of our programmes have community supported learning placements.
Find out more about our enterprise engagement supports here.
Volunteering Activities within Communities
Across all our campuses, large numbers of team members and students use their knowledge, skills, and competencies to support community initiatives and actions. They often raise much needed funds for local organisations such as the NW Simon Community, Focus Ireland, and Special Olympics Ireland.
Knowledge Transfer and Sharing Activities
These are embedded across all campuses. Knowledge sharing initiatives make an ongoing contribution to the economic, social, and cultural future of our society.
Examples of recent activities include Heritage Tourism and Social Value Creation, Inishowen Development Partnership, and Situational Health Needs Analysis.
Find out about more our Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) here.