Our research and knowledge transfer strategy

By 2015 the University of Exeter will be a top UK research university known throughout the world for its research excellence and impact.

Exeter will be recognised as one of the best places in the UK to be a researcher and research student with scholarship of the highest level; a world-class research environment; a stimulating collaborative and interdisciplinary atmosphere with no internal boundaries supported by a growing science and medicine base; and as a vibrant centre for new ideas actively helping to resolve the great challenges of the 21st century, working closely with user communities and organisations around the world.

Highlights

Research investment

• We are creating a world-class research environment for researchers and research students through an investment in science of £230m - c.£55m in research staff and equipment; c.£100m in capital investment and infrastructure and c.£75m in earned income.

Research staff

• We are growing research capacity towards 1,000fte research active staff by sustaining our excellent humanities and social sciences and strengthening our science, engineering, and medicine base to 400fte.

Research quality

• We aim for scholarship of the highest level and to be a vibrant centre for new ideas.  We are increasing the proportion of our research that is recognised as world-class - aiming to have 25% rated as world-leading (4*).

Research students

• We will grow our total research student population to 2,000 by 2015, enhance graduate student experience and improve four-year completion rates for PhDs.

Research with impact

• We encourage positive engagement and knowledge transfer with users of research in industry, government and the third sector.
• By 2015 40% of our research income will come from Knowledge Transfer sources.

Research partnerships

• We are building reputation and impact through deep and enduring strategic alliances and international collaborations.
• By 2015 we will have built at least ten strategic partnerships.

Research sustainability

• We are securing financial sustainability by growing annual research income to c.£60m by 2015, with 45% from Research Councils.

Research management

• We aim to be a University with no internal boundaries. We are enhancing interdisciplinary research through formation of Colleges, allowing greater autonomy of research management.