Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has officially opened the University of Hertfordshire’s £100 million Spectra building, a flagship facility for science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and research.
The five-storey building is the largest on the College Lane campus in Hatfield and is now home to the University’s School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science. It brings together advanced laboratories, collaborative learning spaces and industry standard equipment designed to support teaching and research across multiple STEM disciplines.
The opening took place on 25 November 2025, with The Princess Royal welcomed by university staff, students and children from the on campus Day Nursery. Guests included the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss, and the university’s new Chancellor, Professor Grace Ononiwu.
During her visit, The Princess Royal toured the building, met academics and viewed demonstrations of facilities supporting research in areas including cyber security, aerospace, robotics and autonomous systems.
Professor Anthony Woodman, vice chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, said, “We are deeply honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal for this historic occasion. Spectra is far more than an architectural landmark. It is a bold statement of purpose a hub where ideas become solutions, where theory meets practice, and where our students gain the skills and confidence to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
“The Princess Royal’s official opening of Spectra marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the University of Hertfordshire, and has helped us celebrate not just a building, but a vision. To provide education that is bold, collaborative, impactful, and forward thinking. Spectra reminds us that the future of innovation is something we create together today, tomorrow, and long into the future.”
Designed to encourage cross disciplinary collaboration, Spectra includes two isolated cyber systems rooms for hands on cyber security training, a £2 million suite of wind tunnels for aerodynamic testing, and a specialist strong floor for experiments on material strength.
Additional facilities include robotics laboratories and a robot football pitch for autonomous systems research, flight simulators capable of landing at any airport worldwide, a welding bay and controls testing suite, and vehicles including two Caterham lightweight sports cars and a Tesla to support autonomous vehicle design.
Professor Daniel McCluskey, dean of Spectra, said: “Spectra has been deliberately designed to provide students with an environment that mirrors the working environments in their future careers. This ensures we deliver on the University’s mission to provide the highest quality, career focused education that enhances career prospects and ensures our students graduate work ready and able to make an impact in real world settings.”
The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss, His Majesty’s representative for the county, said: “I am delighted that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will open the spectacular SPECTRA Building continuing a long tradition of members of the Royal Family opening significant buildings at the University.
“Having been involved with the planning of the SPECTRA Building from the very start as a member of the Governing Board and the Finance Committee, it is wonderful to see how the building has come to life and has quickly become such an iconic and integral part of the campus and demonstrates how the university is preparing students for the fast changing world. Her Royal Highness’s visit to officially open the building evidences the appreciation modern environment for learning.”
The £100 million investment supports the university’s focus on employability and addressing UK STEM skills shortages, with facilities designed to reflect professional working environments and strengthen industry partnerships.
The opening highlights Spectra’s role in preparing graduates for careers in engineering, computer science and physics, while contributing to regional innovation and economic growth in Hertfordshire and beyond.
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Image credit: University of Hertfordshire
