Our strategy

Our mission

Advancing knowledge, transforming lives.

Our vision

We will be a broad-based, research-intensive university, open to all who can benefit from a University of Plymouth education, and delivering excellent interdisciplinary research, experiential education and civic engagement.

Marine and maritime environments and societies

We want to maintain and build upon our pre-eminence internationally for contributions to the sustainability of marine and maritime environments and societies. The marine environment is integral to the well-being of life on Earth. Covering 70% of the Earth’s surface, the marine environment is home to 95% of the Earth’s species. Humans are dependent on the oceans more than ever before – for food, oxygen, water, mineral, sustainable energy. Yet vast areas remain unexplored. Mega cities of the world are on coasts, capitalising on economic and trade benefits but impacting on, and vulnerable to, marine environments and climate change impacts.

Of growing economic importance, marine and maritime industries support over 950,000 jobs in the UK. The UK has a Maritime Strategy to 2050 which supports significant investment as well as protection. In the South-West, regional development strategy is strongly anchored in offshore renewable energy, autonomous shipping, marine cyber security and the health and well-being of both coastal and rural communities.

The University of Plymouth is pre-eminent in these matters, and more.

From its foundations as a College of Navigation in the 19th century, the University has built a unique breadth of disciplinary interests in matters relating to marine and maritime environments and societies. Leading education and research in Marine Biology (not least in marine microplastics), Ocean Science and Marine Engineering is complemented by marine and maritime themes across the University, including in History, English, Education, Architecture and the Built Environment, the Business School, Law, Geography and Psychology. Three times recipient of the Queen’s Anniversary prize, two of which were awarded for the University’s strengths in marine and maritime research.

Furthermore, Plymouth is the first choice for Health in the South-West, a focus for training of professionals in a system that can capitalise on
the well-being opportunities of the ‘blue environment’, while responding to the problems common amongst ageing populations and the health inequalities of coastal communities. Interdisciplinary health research includes links between marine biology and the discovery of novel antibiotics.

The University of Plymouth is equipped to build upon this base – given our location, the history and priorities of our City, our leading-edge education and research facilities, and our strong partnerships with research organisations and industries in Plymouth itself and internationally.

How will we know that our strategy for excellence has been successful?

In summary, by 2030 the University will be:

• A broad-based, international university of the region, maintaining pre-eminence in research and education in marine and maritime environments and societies, and leadership in environmental sustainability.
• Exuding confidence in its excellence and impact.
• Attracting, investing in, and retaining the very best staff who are delivering excellence, with critical mass built and maintained in areas of research excellence. At least 75% of academic staff will be defined as ‘research-active’.
• Leading research responses to global challenges, particularly through international and interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Impacting economic and societal outcomes through strong and productive industrial and civic engagement.
• Nurturing skilled, adaptable and resilient graduates who become global citizens and leaders.
• Delivering a mixed portfolio of level and type of programmes, predicting market needs, responsive to new opportunities and reflective of research strengths. At least 20% of the student population will be postgraduate taught students and at least 20% international students.
• Prioritising personalised, research-led and experiential education and learning, connecting with learners internationally.
• Sustaining an exciting group of international partnerships that are flourishing in terms of education and research, the exchange of staff and students and project collaboration. Significant partnerships with leading marine and maritime institutions will be a defining characteristic.
• Ensuring thought-leadership, setting policy agendas locally, nationally and internationally, and communicating and engaging effectively with all stakeholders.