HORIBA UK – Partnership with Northumbria University

Best supplier and
end-user partnership

HORIBA UK is proud to nominate its long-standing and deeply collaborative partnership with Northumbria University for the “Best Supplier and End-User Partnership” award. Over the past 15 years, this relationship has evolved far beyond traditional supplier-customer interactions, developing into a true strategic alliance that spans teaching, research, mentoring, outreach, and global scientific engagement.

This partnership exemplifies how shared values and aligned missions between academia and industry can lead to sustained mutual benefit and far-reaching impact across the scientific community and beyond.

1. Supporting Doctoral Training and Scientific Leadership

Since 2019, HORIBA UK has been a valued industrial partner in Northumbria’s EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training (ReNU and ReNU+), which focus on renewable energy. What makes HORIBA’s contribution special is the depth of engagement - not only in governance and support, but in direct interaction with PhD students. HORIBA UK actively participates in CDT annual events, offering mock interviews, panel discussions, technical assessments, and poster judging. Students appreciate HORIBA’s contributions, underscoring the real-world value of the engagement.

2. Driving Equity Through Undergraduate Scholarships

HORIBA UK is also a partner in Northumbria University’s “Higher Education Without Barriers” campaign, sponsoring scholarships for under-represented students in science and engineering. This support extends beyond financial aid—it includes mentoring, site visits, and networking opportunities that broaden the students' exposure to industry and career possibilities. HORIBA’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is a cornerstone of this partnership and reflects their belief in fostering the next generation of diverse scientific talent.

3. Collaborative Research and Global Connectivity

At the heart of the partnership is scientific collaboration rooted in the shared use of HORIBA’s advanced spectroscopy tools, which have supported both high-quality teaching and internationally recognised research. Northumbria researchers have benefited not only from HORIBA’s robust instrumentation, but also from expert training, application support, and access to cutting-edge facilities in the UK and France. This collaboration has directly contributed to successful grant applications and scientific publications, such as a recent article in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.
A notable example is HORIBA UK’s support of a Royal Society-funded project led by early-career academic Dr Marc Etherington. This trilateral initiative between the UK, Brazil, and HORIBA’s global network demonstrates the power of industrial collaboration in catalysing international science. HORIBA UK is providing training to visiting Brazilian postdoctoral researchers, facilitating communication with HORIBA Brazil, and offering strategic guidance through presence on the project’s advisory board.

4. Enhancing Scientific Impact Through Shared Innovation

Beyond research support, HORIBA UK has integrated closely with the university’s academic environment. Dr Giorgia Marucci of HORIBA UK is a registered Visiting Scholar at Northumbria, enabling long-term scientific exchange and hands-on collaboration. This engagement has facilitated mutual benefit - HORIBA UK gained valuable insights into advanced applications of its fluorescence spectrometers, while Northumbria receives bespoke, one-to-one support and technical advice as needed.
Importantly, HORIBA UK worked with the university to co-create videos and promotional content that not only showcased the research but also celebrated the importance of close supplier-user partnerships in achieving scientific excellence. These outreach efforts demonstrate how collaborative innovation can be shared more widely with the public and scientific communities alike.

Why This Partnership Stands Out

What sets this partnership apart is its holistic approach. HORIBA UK is not just a supplier to Northumbria University - it is a collaborator, mentor, advocate, and champion of inclusive excellence in science. From enabling access to world-class equipment and facilities, to shaping the next generation of scientists through mentoring and scholarships, to building bridges across international research networks, HORIBA UK has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to long-term collaboration and shared success.
This partnership also embodies HORIBA’s founding principle of “omoshiro okashiku” - a Japanese phrase that translates as “joy and fun.” At its heart, it speaks to the importance of creating rewarding and enjoyable work, not only for HORIBA’s team but also for the students, researchers, and collaborators they support. The partnership with Northumbria University exemplifies this ethos: a dynamic, purpose-driven collaboration where innovation, learning, and human connection thrive together.

This is a powerful example of how suppliers and end-users can work together not only to advance science, but to transform lives.