Our Research

The University of Portsmouth is committed to promoting the discovery, development and application of knowledge through high quality research. The University has many internationally recognised researchers and our research benefits society, the environment and the global economy.

Research at Portsmouth is flourishing and this is demonstrated by the strength and variety of the research collaborations the institution is engaged in.

Research at Portsmouth ranges from the purest sciences - investigating the evolution of galaxies - to the most economically and technologically applied ones - computer games design. Through studies of history, literature and society, our researchers develop and communicate new insights on topics ranging from Charles Dickens to the European Union, and from the challenges of ageing to new methods of fraud-prevention.

Research at the University of Portsmouth is world-class – with an average 40 per cent of the research rated internationally excellent or world-leading and 78 per cent rated internationally recognised or above. This was the outcome of the national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

The University has a number of research centres and institutes and many departments have individual webpages outlining the research being undertaken.

Our areas of thematic strength are:

Research Themes:

University of Portsmouth Environment Network

Understanding interactions between the environment (natural, managed and built) and human populations is a global priority. Few now doubt the importance of our impact on the global, regional and local environment. The University of Portsmouth Environment network works to promote sustainability through environment-related learning, teaching, research and knowledge transfer activity.

University of Portsmouth Ageing Network

The demographic ageing of societies, particularly in Europe and Asia, has become one of the major challenges for the 21st century.  By 2020, one quarter of the UK's population will be over 60 years old, with 40% of these over 75.  By 2060, it is predicted that 30% of the EU population will be aged 65+ and the number of the ‘oldest old’ - those aged 80+ - is forecast to increase fourfold.

The University of Portsmouth Ageing network works to create a comprehensive and accurate database of ‘Ageing’ activities and expertise; identify areas of synergy and critical mass relevant to the future ‘Ageing’ agenda; develop internationally competitive bids to a broad range of research and knowledge exchange funding bodies and work in partnership with external partners, including the NHS.

To that end the network will  provide a University focal point for communication and coordination of a diverse range of activities and on the Royal Haslar project, in particular to identify where there is a need for new taught programmes CPD provision.