Research areas

Our research is helping answer pressing questions facing society and the planet.

Working with industry and academic partners, and across our 5 faculties, our researchers are leading their fields and creating impact.

Whether we're developing better methods to prevent drowning at sea, discovering an enzyme to tackle plastic pollution, studying the origins of the planet and the Universe, or exploring new ways to care for vulnerable people, our research is making the world a better place. Discover our research areas below.

Biological Sciences

We're exploring how life on Earth has evolved over time, the huge ecological consequences of human activity, and the growing threat posed by antibiotic resistance.

Business and Management

We're investigating the pressing issues facing organisations and governments – from how to encourage the growth of entrepreneurs and small businesses, to how to improve sustainability across industries, and implement new products and services.

Cosmology and Astrophysics

We're working to understand the cosmos and the fundamental physical laws at work – including gravity and the nature of spacetime. And how these laws of nature play out in the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies.

Explore our research

Digital and Creative Technologies

We're fuelling technological advances in animation, visual effects (VFX), cross reality (XR), User Experience (UX), computer and video games, and visual computing.

Female employee wearing virtual reality headset

Earth and Environmental Sciences

With the future of our planet under threat from environmental crises such as climate change, we're examining our planet and the evolution of life – and using our findings to protect it.

Economics

Our research explores how governments can regulate natural resource use efficiently, develop effective monetary policies, and legislate to influence people’s economic decisions.

Health informatics

We're improving the design of computer systems and wellbeing services to make the delivery of healthcare more efficient and cost-effective, and we're exploring how technology can influence lifestyle choices and reduce health risks.

doctor studying vitals on tablet computer

Law

We're exploring how laws and the legal system shape society and how the legal system affects the daily lives of people within it.

Marketing

We're analysing existing and emerging business models and consumer segments to help businesses better understand their markets and how consumers buy products and services.

Vncent Pericard, former footballer turned marketer

Operational Research and Logistics

We're helping develop new and better transportation and maritime systems, showing how analytics can positively impact people around the world, and finding new ways to create more sustainable and efficient renewable energy.

Large ship at industrial port, loading containers

Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences

We're growing our understanding of how the body functions in health, how it malfunctions in disease, and the genetic and molecular drivers of physical and mental illnesses to find new, more effective treatments for patients.

Male student studying in a lab at a microscope

Politics and International Relations

We're working with organisations, governments and individuals to deal with some of the world's most pressing issues – from reducing the impact of war, to fighting political exclusion.

Psychology

We're exploring topics from child development of social skills and eye witness testimony, to the evolution of primate facial expressions and the factors affecting drug use.

Sport and Exercise Science

We're focused on enhancing human performance and health – from helping elite sports men and women to win Olympic medals, to developing safety guidelines for sporting bodies, and improving the quality of life of individuals living with chronic disease.

Discover more research areas

Explore the work we're doing in other research areas across the University.