Over the last three years the Business an Information Systems Research Centre (BISC) has undertaken research in support of local business growth in six main areas:

• Supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students placed in local businesses on ICT projects
• Undertaking regional survey work to identify the growth needs of business
• Supporting local businesses on specific innovation projects
• Attracting European funds to develop tools for SMEs with the participation of local businesses
• Attracting regional funds to develop tools that allow SMEs access to knowledge at their regional universities
• Evaluating university courses aimed at increasing widening participation for minority and low socio-economic groups

BISC has provided research support for external clients and the University’s Knowledge Hub and as such has been actively involved in the following projects: Bedfordshire Business Growth, City Growth Luton, M1 Knowledge Exchange, Business Networking, Passport to Academic Learning, Web site design for e-Business, and E-business for women.