Our approach to research

By Prof Nick Talbot, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer

The University of Exeter is a vibrant centre for new ideas; a university free of internal boundaries. We are firmly committed to the value of research in shaping our future.

Exeter has an excellent research foundation, with world-class research in all of the 31 subject areas in the University.

We are leaders in cutting-edge science, engineering, mathematics, and medicine research, and have a world-class reputation in the humanities and social sciences.

We have invested strategically to increase our capacity and reputation in science, engineering, mathematics and medicine, resulting in outstanding climate change, extrasolar planets, functional materials, systems biology, and translational medicine research.

Our research is growing. Our current strategy will increase significantly the number of researchers at Exeter, and provides an intellectually stimulating research environment through our researcher development programmes, the quality of our graduate school and doctoral training centres, and improved four-year completion rates for PhDs.

Our research has an impact on the world. We have seen:

• Breakthroughs that will help combat diabetes and mood disorders;
• technologies to mitigate climate change;
• increased understanding of religious radicalisation and its impact on society.

And we are constantly seeking new ways to engage with government, industry, and the community in order to build productive, sustainable partnerships.

We offer a world-class research environment and investing in research infrastructure. But we cannot rest on our laurels; we are determined to improve our research across all disciplines and take Exeter from good to great.