NRI is based at the University of Greenwich's historic Medway Campus, once the site of the Royal Navy's Chatham Dockyard. The Institute shares facilities with other University centres of scientific excellence, including the School of Science, the Medway School of Pharmacy, and the School of Engineering. Extensive renovation and refurbishment has converted the six main buildings on the upper level of the site for use as offices, teaching rooms, lecture theatres and laboratories. Built at the end of the 19th century, the imposing red-brick buildings have retained their naval names in honour of the original designation of the complex - HMS Pembroke - and of the famous Admirals Blake, Nelson, Anson, Grenville and Jellicoe. In addition, a purpose-built facility used by the School of Engineering is named after Admiral Hawke.

Research Facilities

NRI's research activities are mainly undertaken in the field worldwide but are supported by laboratory facilities at Medway, either within NRI or in other Schools on the Campus, including: controlled-environment rooms for studying tropical pests of crops and stored foods, and plant diseases, under DEFRA-approved quarantine conditions; chemistry laboratories for analysis and synthesis of novel compounds for use in safe and sustainable management of insect pests; rooms equipped for standard physical and chemical measurements (NMR, Mass Spectrometry, GLC, HPLC, etc.); a molecular biology suite for the identification and diagnosis of plant diseases and pest species; greenhouses for growing tropical crop plants; a calorimetry laboratory for biological and pharmacological research; and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) facilities for on-line collection and analysis of satellite data.

Library

NRI's unique collection of scientific and development-orientated literature is housed in the Medway Campus’s magnificent Drill Hall Library, which provides over 250 study spaces and houses more than 147,000 books, journals and reports covering science, pharmacy, engineering, social science, health care, law, business and humanities. The Library provides access to electronic information through its 370 computers. The on-line computer search and retrieval facilities accessible from these workstations in the Library are also available to Campus staff and students through their personal computers. There is also a large archival collection of historical maps and aerial photographs, mostly of current and former commonwealth countries.

Teaching Facilities and Support Services

Teaching spaces in a range of sizes, from lecture theatres to seminar rooms, are a shared resource across the Campus and are available in all buildings, with the largest rooms in Pembroke and Jellicoe. All are equipped with computer projection facilities. The Institute is served by the University's central support units for personnel, procurement, finance, estates management and information services. NRI relies heavily on its sophisticated electronic data management and communications infrastructure.

Recreation and Accommodation

NRI staff and students are well catered for by: the Campus’s two self-service restaurants; an on-campus bar, Coopers, which offers meals and traditional pub games; a daytime alcohol-free space, Purple; and a general shop providing both snacks and essential supplies such as stationery. Sports facilities on-site include a sports hall and gym, and a nearby leisure centre provides further recreational options such as swimming. A quiet room is available for prayer and meditation. Visiting students and researchers can stay in the excellent hostel accommodation in the Halls of Residence.

Surroundings

The Medway Campus forms part of the exciting redevelopment zone at Chatham Maritime, the hub of a growing commercial, residential and leisure complex with excellent transport and communications infrastructure. Facilities within the complex include a new shopping centre, a pub-restaurant overlooking the marina, and a multi-screen cinema. Nearby are both the city of Rochester, with its ancient Castle and Cathedral (where the Campus’s annual graduation ceremonies are held), and the busy town centre of Chatham, with shopping centres and high-street stores. Chatham is a major hub for local bus services – including the frequent services between the Campus and the town centre – to many other parts of Kent and has regular fast train services to central London (journey time 45 minutes to Victoria station).