Research

Research at the University of Exeter spans some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind and our planet today. In the latest (2008) Research Assessment Exercise, nearly 90 per cent of our research was rated as internationally recognised and every subject was assessed as including world leading (4*) research. 

At the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI), and across the University, we believe that interdisciplinary research and working closely with partners is essential to the development of creative solutions to complex issues of environmental change. Based within an exceptional research environment and with a focus on delivering impact, interdisciplinary research at the ESI will span three interrelated themes:

• Clean technologies
• Natural environment
• Social science and sustainability

Research groups

The Cornwall Campus already hosts a number of established research groups and centres focusing on issues aligned to these themes including:

College of Life and Environmental Sciences

• Behaviour
• Ecology and Conservation
  Centre for Ecology and Conservation
• Climate and Society
• Energy Policy
• Environmental Change
• Evolution

  Geographies of Creativity and Knowledge
• Governance, Ethics and Social Justice
• Landscape and Ecosystem Dynamics
• Natures, Materialities and Biopolitics

 College of Humanities

• Centre for Literatures of Identity, Place and Sustainability

College of Humanities/College of Life and Environmental Sciences

• Centre for Environmental Arts and Humanities

College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences

• Renewable Energy
• Responsible mining and sustainable use of resources

The Environment and Sustainability Institute will also incorporate:

• University of Exeter component of the Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMaRE)
• The academic research group aligned to Environment and Human Health in the UNiversity of Exeter Medical School.

Find out more

Explore research from across the University of Exeter by visiting our Directory of research activity.