The Centre for Risk and Insurance Studies (CRIS) was established in 1991. It is one of the world's leading specialist centres for risk and insurance.

The Centre maintains close links with the insurance industry and others working in risk and insurance and others working in risk management. The Centre's research reflects public policy priorities as well as those of the insurance industry, and covers not only traditional insurance activities but also risk management. Examples of recent work include the economic value of general insurance, perceptions of mortality risk, corporate governance in mutual life insurers, risk in banking, litigation and insurance, and risk measurement.

The Centre organises several conferences, including the annual Conference of UK Economists, now in its 31st year. It holds an annual seminar of its research in London. It issues a half-yearly newsletter, Crisline.

Its research has been assisted by funding from several sources, including the ESRC, KPMG, the Association of British Insurers, and Faculty and Institute of Actuaries.

CRIS has close links with the Financial Services Research Forum, which is co-ordinated by the Business School.

The Centre maintains a database of UK insurance company accounting information and publishes Insurance Company Performance annually, which collates data on over 500 companies.

The Centre organises the teaching of risk management and insurance in the School, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.