EWB-UK's Research Programme helps bridge the gap between universities, students, NGOs and communities. See the projects currently available for this programme.

EWB-UK links students and academia with communities and organisations in developing countries with technical research needs. Students solve technical problems identified by partner organisations. Students put their skills to practical use and deepen their understanding of development.

Research Programme

EWB-UK collates a number of research proposals from our partner NGOs. The research proposals are assessed for academic level, and the project summaries are then published publicly on our website, and distributed to UK universities. Students are then able to apply to EWB-UK to undertake one of these projects. View the current projects available here!

How do I become involved?

The usual way to carry out an EWB-UK research project is as part of a your degree, with support from the student's academic supervisor, their institution and the NGO. There are also many opportunities to take part in EWB-UK research outside of your course. This route allows more flexibility, however most students are enrolled at a UK university.

EWB-UK also provides assistance for development-related research projects through the EWB-UK Research Project Affiliation Scheme, which provides support and assistance to projects that fit with the aims of EWB-UK.

Previous Projects

So far, 24 final year research projects have been completed with NGOs in 6 countries. Projects have covered many engineering disciplines, and supported a variety of NGOs, including:

• Bicycle Trailer Design, carried out at Imperial University in conjunction with Imperial College, and Developing Technologies
• Optimisation of Earth Roads in Ghana, carried out at Cambridge University in conjunction with ENGhana
• Stove Development for Low Altitude Areas, carried out at Liverpool University with the group Pastoral Social Ecuador

Other projects have covered topics as diverse as adobe stove design for reduced smoke inhalation to temporary buildings for schools and ceramic water filter design.

Further information for...

• ...Students
• ...EWB-UK University Branches
• ...Project Supervisors and University Academics
• ...Organisations or NGO's wishing to propose a research project

Other news

This year the EWB-UK Research Programme ran its first annual Research Conference, you can read about it here!