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. 

Paul Tiltman and Dr Mohammed Zaki Ahmed working on new Solar power technology.

Associate Professor Mohammed Zaki Ahmed

The energy we received from Mars when the exploration Rover beamed pictures back to Earth was less than that generated by a snowflake landing in your hand

Find out more about Dr Ahmed's research
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.
Plastic debris recovered from the stomach of a fulmar
How scientists in the Marine Institute are working to understand chemical pollutants in the world's oceans

Joel Gibbard

For my final year project I designed a low-cost robotic prosthetic hand for amputees.

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

Find out more about Joel Gibbard
Joel Gibbard - Open Hand Project
Neurosurgery at the University of Plymouth Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
ALIZ-E
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

Find out more about ethics in the internet age

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.

Find out more about the Madness and Modernity study
Gemma Blackshaw
Kerry Howell
Professor Neil Avent