Research facilities and resources

ArchiLab is an advanced facility for teaching, research, and consultancy focused on sustainable building design. It is equipped with tools for lighting and acoustic design, testing insulation, airflow, temperatures, and humidity, as well as model photography and architectural science computing. The facility is frequently used by local architects and engineers.

Researchers in Kingston School of Art have benefitted from significant investment in state-of-the-art studios and labs:

• 3D materials workshop: Advanced equipment for working with wood, metal, stone, plastic, plaster, bio-resins, wax, and ceramics.
• Filming space: Includes Panasonic HVX200 cameras, Kino Flow lighting, and stop-motion capture systems.
• Photography suite: High-end workstations and hardware for colour-managed, accurate colour workflows.
• Digital media workshops: 132 iMacs for 2D/3D design, audio/video production, and small/large format printing.

The David Heneker Archive contains the papers of musical theatre composer David Heneker, known for shows like Half a Sixpence, Irma la Douche, and Charlie Girl. It includes script drafts, original scores, lyrics, and memorabilia, offering insights into the development of stage shows and Heneker's work.

Kingston University has a strong research focus on Iris Murdoch, acquiring key archives to expand its collections. In 2004, the University acquired Murdoch's annotated working library and the archive of Peter Conradi, her biographer, which includes correspondence, notes, and unpublished works. Additional materials, including letters and items from her contemporaries, further support the Centre for Iris Murdoch Studies.

Dorich House Museum, the former home of sculptor Dora Gordine, houses a collection of her bronzes, paintings, and drawings. Along with Russian Imperial art collected by her husband, Richard Hare. Designed by Gordine in the 1930s, the house was restored by Kingston University in 1996 and became a museum in 2004. It has hosted significant research initiatives, including a major 2009 retrospective of Gordine’s work, accompanied by talks, seminars, and community events.

The film and media research department has received significant investment in high-end equipment, including Red One cameras and Sony EX3s. It offers specialist labs with I-Macs, Final Cut Studio Pro, Adobe CS5, and audio recording facilities with Logic Pro and Pro Tools. The department also includes a film studio, newsroom, and journalism lab, providing extensive resources for media work.

The Innoversity centre focuses on design and innovation, particularly benefiting the health and cultural sectors. It brings together researchers and students from various disciplines to tackle real-life business challenges, fostering collaboration between design, business, and technology to develop new products and creative strategies.

Visconti Studio is a unique analogue-digital hybrid recording space featuring rare vintage equipment and instruments, such as a Mellotron and Steinway concert grand piano. As a creative research hub, its aims include preserving analogue recording practices, exploring digital-analogue integration, and examining cultural and technological histories. It supports scholarly research, creative practice, and industry advancements.

The University holds the records of Publishing News magazine, which was published for members of the book trade between 1979 and 2008. The collection contains a full run of the magazine, as well as photographs, research files compiled by the editors of the magazine, records relating to the British Book Awards, and other documents. The collection provides a perfect snapshot of the publishing and book trades in the late 20th century.

Kingston University holds the extensive collection of books and personal papers of renowned theatre critic Sheridan Morley (1941–2007). The library includes thousands of volumes on theatre, film, and biography, some signed or personally dedicated, alongside Morley's research notes, reviews, correspondence with actors, photographs, and personal documents. The collection also features materials related to his father, Robert Morley, and grandmother, Gladys Cooper, as well as objects collected by Morley.

Located by the Hogsmill River, the Stanley Picker Gallery at Kingston School of Art offers a dynamic public programme dedicated to advancing new work in art and design. Supported by the Stanley Picker Trust and Arts Council England, the Gallery connects Kingston University to the broader arts community. Through fellowships, workshops and public activities, the Gallery provides students with invaluable experience in innovation and creative practice.

The Archives and Special Collections hold two collections of theatre programmes. 

• The Cary Ellison Theatre Programme Collection: This collection documents British repertory theatre during 1953–1980. Through detailed notes on plays, casts, and directors, highlighting early careers of future stars. 
• The Brian Smith Theatre Programme Collection: This collection captures London theatre in the late 20th century. Including first runs of notable plays, Royal Shakespeare Company productions, operas, and concerts, reflecting Smith's lifelong passion for the arts.

With state-of-the-art GC-MS, LC-MS and High Resolution Accurate Mass Spectrometry facilities, this laboratory, which is led by Dr Brian Rooney, is the UK’s first ever University to  have received ISO17025 accreditation from alcohol and drug testing, generating legally compliant data for civil and criminal cases. 

In addition to Bruker Avance NEO 600MHz and 400MHz NMR spectrometers with Broadband, iProbes, we also have a cutting edge CPMASIII Solids probe (400MHz), with sample-changer compatible shuttles, for multiple, long, queued runs. 

We have a good complement of HPLC-DAD, Triple Quad LC-MS, GC-MS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS , Thermogravimetric Analysis & Scanning Electron Microscopy  instruments along with powder XRD, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectrometers for analysis of multiple substrates.

Cell Culture

The Integrated Research and Teaching Laboratory (IRTL) features a state-of-the-art cell culture suite equipped with eight Thermo Fisher MSC Advantage Class II biological safety cabinets, designed to support the cultivation and maintenance of cells and tissues for a broad range of cutting-edge research initiatives.

Complementing this advanced infrastructure, the suite also houses an array of high-performance microscopes, including the ZenCell Owl live-cell imaging system. This enables the full automation and parallelisation of cell culture workflows, significantly enhancing experimental throughput and reproducibility.

Biochemistry and Core Facilities

Complementing the extensive work conducted within the IRTL’s cell culture facility, the biochemistry laboratory is equipped with a range of sophisticated instrumentation to further advance the department’s core research themes. Central to these efforts is a strong focus on Western blotting—utilising predominantly Bio-Rad systems—as well as advanced molecular biology platforms such as the Applied Biosystems Thermal Cycler, EcoPCR Max, GSTORM PCR, Techne Prime Pro+ PCR, and the Agilent Technologies Stratagene Mx3005P. These instruments are employed to perform Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a foundational technique in molecular biology used to selectively amplify specific DNA sequences with high precision and sensitivity.

Supporting protein analysis workflows, the laboratory is outfitted with the LI-COR Odyssey CLx infrared imaging system, enabling rapid and quantitative assessment of Western blot results through high-resolution gel imaging. A significant enhancement to our analytical capabilities is the recent acquisition of the BD FACSCanto II flow cytometer—an advanced instrument that allows for multiparametric analysis of the physical and chemical characteristics of cells or particles as they pass through laser interrogation points. This technology is invaluable for immunophenotyping, cell cycle analysis, and biomarker quantification.

In addition to these platforms, the laboratory also houses specialised equipment that supports interdisciplinary research across other departments. This includes the CreatBot, a high-performance Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printer designed for precision prototyping and fabrication using a wide range of engineering-grade materials. Also available is the Cellink BIO X, a next-generation extrusion-based 3D bioprinter engineered for complex biological applications. With features such as temperature-controlled printheads, sterile chamber technology, and the ability to print multi-material and multi-cellular constructs in a single session, the BIO X enables researchers to fabricate tissue models suitable for direct integration into cell culture studies.

Further augmenting our molecular genetics capabilities is the Applied Biosystems SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer, a compact, fully integrated capillary electrophoresis system that facilitates both Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis within a single streamlined workflow. This system enables comprehensive genetic profiling, making it an indispensable tool for applications ranging from mutation detection to CRISPR validation and microsatellite analysis.

Together, these cutting-edge resources position the biochemistry laboratory as a central hub for molecular, cellular, and translational research, supporting a wide array of scientific endeavours across the university.

The physiology, environmental, and biomechanics laboratories offer cutting-edge facilities for interdisciplinary research into human health, performance and movement. Equipped with altitude and heat chambers, advanced CPET systems, and a range of metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory analysers, the labs support studies in sport, health, rehabilitation, nutrition and environmental science. The biomechanics lab features high-speed 3D motion capture, force platforms, electromyography and isokinetic testing systems, alongside GPS tracking for field-based athlete monitoring, enabling precise analysis of exercise and human movement.

The sport and exercise science facilities also host our Kingston Human Performance Lab (KHPL) for contract research and commercial services. The KHPL offers physiological, nutritional and biomechanical testing services to organisations, athletes and individuals looking to improve their health and performance.

As one of the most active and rapidly developing areas of research in the University, researchers in computing are supported with state-of-the-art computing laboratories, fully equipped with fold flat LCD screens, data projection systems and high-spec processors.

High-end hardware and software includes tools such as:

• Linux
• Microsoft.net
• Dreamweaver
• Flash 8
• Eclipse
• Java 2 Standard and Mobile Editions
• Tools for Motorola and Nokia phones
• UML and CASE tools
• NXP Processors Development Kits
• Digital Signal Processors (dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers)
• A range of wireless LAN technologies.

Kingston University’s engineering research facilities include advanced laboratories with wind tunnels, engine-testing setups, a merlin flight simulator, and rapid prototyping equipment. Researchers benefit from resources for robotics, materials testing, sustainable construction, and geoengineering, including surveying tools and hydraulics testing.

KUeggs is Kingston University's research and consultancy group specialising in geology, geography, and environmental studies. It offers advanced laboratories for geochemistry, radon testing, materials analysis, and GIS, alongside portable equipment for off-site geophysical and geochemical testing.

The Centre for Earth and Environmental Science Research at Kingston University features two dedicated palaeoecology labs. Equipped for sample preparation, palynological investigation, and plant macrofossil studies. The labs include advanced microscopes, pollen and seed reference collections for Europe and West Africa. As well as cold storage, and modern fieldwork equipment such as coring devices and a Leica ScanStation.

• High-resolution EEG (Starstim tES-EEG and BioSemi ActiveTwo 64+8+2 channel system)
• State-of-the-art video/audio monitoring in a dedicated observation suite with digital viewing/editing suite (configured by Tracksys with Observer XT monitoring applications)
• Meta Quest Pro VR Headsets
• Pico Neo VR Headsets
• Wearable eye tracking Tobii Pro Glasses
• Dedicated Tobii Pro Fusion 250Hz eye trackers
• Motionwatch medical-grade actigraphy watches for the monitoring of sleep, circadian rhythm and physical activity
• Polar Vantage V2 GPS Watches (with H10 Heart Rate Sensor)
• Eyelink 1000 high-resolution eye tracker
• Biopac MP100 Physiological monitoring system
• CANTABeclipse tablet-based (touchscreen) neuropsychological test battery

• Equipment: Tobii Pro Nano 60Hz eye-tracker, RED250 Mobile remote eye-tracking station and two high-spec PCs.
• Software: Tobii Pro Lab Full Edition software, SMI Experiment Centre, SMI BeGaze and Noldus FaceReader software.
• Integrations: Add on additional biosensors such as EEG, heart rate and skin conductance. We can uniquely cross-validate self-reports with sub-conscious psycho-physiological insights.
• Purpose: Ideal for generating behavioural insights on how people interact with websites, services, marketing or calls to action. Eye-tracking and facial expression analysis can provide insights into attention, engagement, and emotional reactions. Additional biosensors can be integrated to provide a deeper understanding.

• Equipment: Varjo Aero VR headset with embedded pupillometry, Ultraleap Leap Motion Controller 2 hand tracking camera, 2x VIVE hand-controllers and 4x SteamVR 2.0 base stations.
• Software: Varjo Base, Unity and iMotions software.
• Integrations: Add on EEG, heart rate and skin conductance and/or set up in the Observation Suite. We can uniquely record and analyse synchronous virtual stimuli and physical gestures.
• Purpose: Ideal for studying user behaviour in virtual environments.

• Equipment: 3 HD cameras, microphones, roundtable and 8 chairs, large display screen, external PC in the control station, Tobii Pro Glasses 2 (Live View 50 Hz Wireless) mobile eye-tracker, Emotiv EPOC X Model 3.0 - 14-Channel Wireless EEG headset, Emotiv Insight 2.0 - 5-Channel Wireless EEG headset and the Shimmer3 GSR+ (Galvanic Skin Response) device.
• Software: Noldus Media Recorder, Noldus Observer XT, Tobii Pro Lab Analyzer software, Emotiv PRO software toolkit, Consensys and iMotions software.
• Integrations: Add on EEG, heart rate and skin conductance. We can uniquely record and analyse flow states through action and physical gestures.
• Purpose: Ideal for generating behavioural insights and can be used for evaluating the multichannel branded user experience, product testing, creativity and problem-solving, focus groups and teamwork.

• Equipment: 29 networked workstations in individual baffled cubicles with headphones.
• Software: E-prime 3, Z-tree and LanSchool.
• Integrations: Add on bespoke behavioural science or behavioural economics tasks such as the implicit association test (IAT) to uncover hidden biases in the workplace or in marketing materials or the Ultimatum Game to provide insights into fairness and negotiation or pricing dynamics.
• Purpose: Ideal for conducting behavioural economic research to gain insights into consumer behaviour, improve marketing strategies, enhance customer experiences, and make more informed decisions regarding product development and pricing strategies.