‘Northern powerhouse’: Northumbria University climbs research rankings

Vice-chancellor says north-east now has biggest concentration of researchers anywhere outside London

The north-east of England has gained a northern research powerhouse" to rival anything outside London, according to the vice-chancellor of the University of Northumbria after his institution rocketed up national research rankings.

Andrew Wathey took over at the Newcastle university in 2008 when it was 81st for research output, and has now seen it vault into 28th place in the UK, according to results of the research excellence framework (Ref) published this month.