Research and Innovation

Helping tomorrow take shape

Globally responsible, committed to identifying and solving problems, enriching people's lives and creating lasting impact

We want to help shape the future and know it takes more than words to make a difference. That's exactly what our research aims to do. We're making a significant difference in the world. 78% of our research impact was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2014.

Our belief in knowledge-sharing makes our research exceptional and relevant. Our approach is always collaborative. We work with local and global partners in education and industry.

Download our Research and Innovation Strategy to find out how we're delivering globally significant research excellence, and explore our research below.

Explore our research

Research areas

Our research covers multiple broad research areas, within which sit specific areas of expertise.

Discover our research areas

Research centres, institutes and groups

From enzyme innovation to observing the cosmos, discover where our research takes place.

Browse our research centres

Research themes

We prioritise research that tackles key current issues, which we've grouped into 5 interconnected themes.

Our research portal

Access our research database, where you can find all our current research information in one place.

Find out more

Research features

Read our recent research success stories and learn more about the researchers behind them.

Underwater shot of arrays of plastic in the ocean

REF 2014 results

78% of our research impact was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2014, the Government's independent review of research quality in the UK's Higher Education institutions.

Research that has an international impact

Find out more