This mapping exercise across the 12 Yorkshire Universities provides a comprehensive overview of their space-related capabilities and expertise. Our overall summary of these results is shown in figure one, where the table lists the capabilities recorded for each HE institution and presents a total. Across the Yorkshire Universities, a significant amount of space-related research funding has been awarded from 2019-2024, specifically when looking at the University of Leeds, the University of York, and the University of Huddersfield. These three universities have won 87 % of the total amount of research income, which was £ 306,483,676 for the combined twelve Yorkshire Universities. Most of this funding has come from funders such as the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the government departments, such as the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The reason for the success can largely be attributed to the capabilities of the academics that put together the funding applications, along with the facilities that their institutions make available to them. For each HE institution, the number of space-related academics is clearly detailed, with the University of Hull and the University of Leeds holding 38 % of the total space-related academics (74) identified across the twelve Yorkshire Universities.

The contribution Russell Group universities make towards successful space-related funding applications, number of academics and number of space skills taught courses is clear, but there are significant contributions from other HE institutions, such as the University of Bradford and Sheffield Hallam University. The University of Bradford provides over 4 % of academics, funding awarded, courses and students, while Sheffield Hallam University provides 17 % of academics, 14 % of space-related courses and over 12 % of total students studying space-related courses. This report aims to highlight the capabilities of all twelve Yorkshire Universities, and despite being much smaller institutions and not classed as ‘technical’, York St John and Leeds Beckett University offer a relatively high number of space-related courses at 14 and 22 respectively, which is over 5 % of the total space-related courses offered. This mapping effort is crucial for uncovering these impressive space-related research and teaching capabilities across all Yorkshire Universities, as well as highlighting the important connections between institutions, opportunities for synergies and identifying gaps that may require targeted action. Yorkshire Universities train approximately 10 % of the UK’s student population, so it is essential that academic institutions in this region train the skills required for the commercial space industry, to guarantee the pipeline of talent which will enable the sectors continued growth in the future. The outcomes from this work can serve as a foundation for future initiatives, collaborations, and targeted interventions within the space sector to grow the skills and specific capabilities of the Yorkshire region, such as earth observation, resilient communications and ubiquitous connectivity.

Space Campus Mapping Report v12NO2