The Bridge

Bringing worlds together
The Bridge concept – a teal, pink and orange abstract image with a B superimposed over the top in black
We connect people, ideas, and opportunities, bringing together diverse disciplines to co-create pioneering projects and transformative experiences.
The Bridge is a dynamic force for positive change, advancing knowledge and understanding through collaboration, creativity, and innovation. We create inclusive spaces where everyone can engage with art, culture, and cutting-edge research, inspiring people to learn, connect, and shape a brighter future.  
Our history 
Established in 2018 as a collaboration between the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business and the University’s Research and Innovation Directorate, The Bridge was initially created as a platform for delivering over £18.8 million of regional innovation projects.  
Today, The Bridge integrates the Faculty’s professional services support for Research, Education, Knowledge Exchange and Civic Engagement. This powerful combination of expertise supports staff, students, businesses and communities to build projects and partnerships that embed and embody placemaking – using creative, strategic, and tactical collaboration to enable positive change. 

The Bridge harnesses the transformative power of arts, culture, and creativity to inspire change, reveal new potential within ourselves, and within our place. Guided by our core values of openness, collaboration, and inclusivity, we build meaningful connections, deliver impactful projects, and create a welcoming space for everyone to engage deeply with our University community.

Rupert LorraineRupert Lorraine
Director of The Arts Institute

Contact us with any queries or questions you may have about what we do at the The Bridge, we'll be happy to help.

Explore The Bridge

Find out more about the opportunities we're creating, and the impact we make.

Academics talking with the word 'curiosity' - The Bridge

Research, Impact & Policy
Impactful, interdisciplinary research to tackle global challenges through placemaking.

Students working on project at a table with the word 'collaboration'

Knowledge Exchange, Experiential Education & Skills
Working with business and the community for mutual benefit.

Dancers in traditional Asian dresses dancing with the word 'creativity'.

Arts & Cultural Programme
Inspirational cultural experiences that celebrate creativity and have the power to transform lives.

Facilities and expertise

Our team helps to support collaborative Research and Development (R&D) by facilitating access to cutting-edge facilities and expertise.
Digital Fabrication Lab with Architecture students
Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Laboratory (DFIML)
Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR)
Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR)
Take the opportunity to meet new friends and get to know the stunning local area by joining one of our Chaplaincy walks. We organise delightful walks on Dartmoor, Mount Edgcumbe and a walk around the ten parks of Plymouth
Plymouth Heritage Praxis
i-DAt
i-DAT
Students pictured are attending a family law clinic
University of Plymouth Law Clinic
Aerial shot of children drawing on large sheet of paper
University Practice Partnerships: Sustaining collaboration across learning environments (UPPScale)

Highlights from our Arts & Cultural Programme

Bundles of different colour hair
Green Making | Materials | Objects

Building on The Green Maker Initiative, a collaboration between MAKE Southwest and the Sustainable Earth Institute’s Low Carbon Devon

20 July 2024 - 24 August 2024

Latest news from The Bridge

Green Making | Materials | Objects exhibition in The Levinsky Gallery at the University of Plymouth. Dyed rainbow thread hung up on a grey wall, under the thread is jars containing thread and dye.
Encouraging people to explore relationships with everyday objects and the environment

Celebrities, makers and academics are among those to submit items for the Green Making | Materials | Objects exhibition

26 July 2024

Our partners

Partnership working is at the core of everything we do. We are proud to work with: