Shape the future

Advancing knowledge and transforming lives through education and research
Pollution problem - plastic bag in the ocean. Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Of the forces that will shape our future as a species, the greatest are our collective behaviours. To align these with sustainable economic and environmental practices – without losing sight of health equality and prosperity – is a challenge that the University of Plymouth has worked towards for more than 20 years.

This commitment is demonstrated most powerfully through our broad spectrum of research: whether it’s analysing climate change and the state of the planet’s oceans; pioneering new techniques and technologies in cancer research or pre-natal diagnoses; or composing music through neuroscience, our research crosses geographic and disciplinary boundaries in its quest to advance knowledge and transform lives. 

And as the results of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework show, so much of what we do has been classed as world-leading or internationally-excellent.

As a young University, we have the freedom to define our strategic priorities and values and invest our intellectual capital in areas that will help shape the world around us. 

The Environmental and Fluid Modelling Group (EFMG) is changing the way science visualises porous materials. And in their market-leading PoreXpert product, they’ve distilled this expertise to create one of the University’s brightest commercial prospects. Touching the void: The Environmental and Fluid Modelling Group
 How does a sponge soak up water? What makes for good quality printing paper? How fast are the UK’s 14 advanced gas-cooled nuclear reactors ageing?

Plastic debris recovered from the stomach of a fulmar REF case study: microplastics in the ocean
 A case study from the Research Excellence Framework looking at the work of Professor Richard Thompson, and his investigation of the threat of microplastics in the ocean.

How scientists in the Marine Institute are working to understand chemical pollutants in the world's oceans Identifying and tackling chemical pollutants in the world’s oceans
 The third in a series of case studies from the Research Excellence Framework. Find out more about how scientists in the Marine Institute are working to understand chemical pollutants in the world's oceans

Joel Gibbard - Open Hand Project Joel Gibbard
 Joel Gibbard, Applications Engineer, National Instruments. Graduate from the School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics at the University.

Neurosurgery at the University of Plymouth Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry REF case study: understanding the challenges of degenerative neurological conditions
 A case study looking at the work of the Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine in tackling Multiple Sclerosis.

ALIZ-E REF case study: robots as companions
 A look at how an EU-funded robotics project placed the University of Plymouth at the centre of a pan-European ethics issue.

Internet safety Research Case Study: Safer online behaviour and the implications of ‘sexting’ in schools and society
 How the work of Professor Andy Phippen has contributed to greater understanding and discussion around online behaviour and ethics, especially in relation to young people

Gemma Blackshaw Understanding mental health through art curation
 A case study of a four year project which looked at modern attitudes towards mental health through a collection of artwork and items associated with Austria and the Habsburg Empire at the turn of the 20th Century.

Kerry Howell Mapping the deep
 How academics in the School of Marine Science and Engineering have been mapping sensitive environments, which have helped in the establishment of Marine Protected Areas.

Professor Neil Avent Research in the blood
 Number four in a series of REF case studies, looking at how Professor Neil Avent has been researching the diagnosis of pre-natal conditions through non-intrusive methods.