Acoustics Innovation Institute
We’re excited to announce that in 2027, a New £24M Acoustics Building will open. Featuring new and upgraded laboratories including: anechoic chamber, hemi-anechoic chambers, built environment test suite, perception engineering laboratories and calibration laboratory. It will host the UK’s Designated Institute for Airborne Acoustics Metrology. This will be the fourth iteration of our world-class acoustics laboratories, through which we bring much of our fundamental research into real life applications.
Acoustics research has been conducted at Salford for over 60 years, funded by research councils, national and international government bodies, and industry. Our research has fed into products that companies make and sell worldwide, as well as regulations and standards used in the UK and internationally.
‘outstanding impact demonstrated … live sports audio’
Engineering Panel, Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 feedback
We currently have about twenty-five research active staff. We host two doctoral training schools: LAURA: The Leverhulme Trust Aural Diversity Doctoral Research Hub and the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Sound Futures. We also have a large commercial team who carry out testing and R&D work with industry.
Research focus
Our research has two main areas for strategic growth:
- Improving health, well-being and accessibility.
- Supporting industry, government and third-sector organisations to make a better sounding future.
Much of our research combines work in physical sciences and engineering, with sound perception by humans and other animals. You can find out more about our research below:
- Advanced materials
- Architectural and Building Acoustics
- Measurement and modelling
- Environmental noise, vibration and soundscapes
- Speech and music
- Manufacturing and vibro-acoustics
- Public engagement
Research Team
Acoustics research centre staff
PhD Opportunities
LAURA: The Leverhulme Trust Aural Diversity Doctoral Research Hub provides funded inter-disciplinary PhD and Masters training in the study of hearing and listening differences.
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Sound Futures We are leading this CDT with fully-funded PhD positions.
Degree and Masters Courses
Institute staff also teach on our undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.