![Silica fibre pulling machine in action with Alan Cumming watching in background.](/media/Media_882809_smxx.jpg)
The Institute for Gravitational Research, supported by STFC funding, is focused on gravitational astrophysics enabled by gravitational wave detector technology, and analysis of gravitational wave signals.
![Two Black Holes Merge into One (Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes (SXS) project, http://www.black-holes.org)](/media/Media_841695_smxx.jpg)
Gravitational Astrophysics
The detection of gravitational radiation has initiated a whole new branch of astronomy: observational gravitational astrophysics. The Institute for Gravitational Research is at the forefront of exploring this new and exciting field.
![Advanced LIGO Livingston test mass (ITMY)](/media/Media_841749_smxx.jpg)
Detectors
The IGR leads research contributing to:
and informs the design of future detectors. IGR-developed enabling technology includes:
![Monolithic Silicon mass and flexure under test.](/media/Media_841962_smxx.jpg)
Knowledge Exchange and Public Outreach
As with other cutting edge scientific endeavours, the work that we do can lead to technology that is useful in industry and beyond.
We have a rich and vibrant outreach programme across schools, science festivals and the public in Scotland and beyond.
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Collaborative Projects
At any one time we are involved in many different collaborations, ranging from single researcher-to-researcher links to the largest international organisations such as LIGO and the Einstein Telescope. Follow this link to see some notable examples.
![A researcher controlling a hexapod for precision six-axis movement in the LISA cleanroom.](/media/Media_868707_smxx.jpg)
Study or Work with us
Contact
Postal address
Institute for Gravitational Research
Kelvin Building
University Avenue
Glasgow
G12 8QQ
Scotland
General enquiries
Tel: +44-141-330-3340
Email: phas-igr-secretary@glasgow.ac.uk
How to find us
The Institute for Gravitational Research is located in the Kelvin Building, located on the main university campus.
- A placemark for Google Earth (kml)
- Multimap link
- The University travel directions. The Kelvin Building is building B8 on the main campus map, to the east of the Square and the main (Gilbert Scott) building.