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Research

The impact of our research

The University of Southampton is changing the world for the better, working with industry, governments and research institutions to make a global impact.

We are a world-class research-intensive Russell Group university. Over 96 per cent of our research has been assessed as world-leading and internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.

Our research highlights

Making the internet faster

Making the internet faster

Our research connects the planet; the whole global internet relies on our invention of erbium-doped fibre amplifiers that boost optical signals to allow fast telecommunications.

BBC Blue Planet II icon of seal under iceberg

The science behind Blue Planet II

Dr Jon Copley and Dr Cathy Lucas from the University were scientific advisors on the BBC's Blue Planet II series. Their research contributed to the incredible images we witnessed on screen.

Queen's Anniversary Prize logo with fibre optic lights behind

Queen's Anniversary Prize 2017

We were awarded this prestigious higher education prize in 2017 in recognition of the many decades of inspired research and innovation by the University’s Optoelectronics Research Centre.

View all research highlights

Research by subject

Discover the world-changing research being carried out across the University.

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The impact of our research

New breakthroughs in all disciplines have the ability to make our lives better. We believe it is our responsibility to do all that we can to make the leap from academic publication to real-life solutions so that our research helps everyone it can.

Our impact on society

Our Public Engagement with Research unit inspires and supports high-quality public engagement with research across the University.

Impact on teaching

Our emphasis on research-led teaching means that our students are taught the latest theories, research and innovations from experts in their field.

Impact on business

We are successful at commercialising our research, and working with businesses to help create useful innovations.

Measuring the impact of our research

Researchfish facilitates reporting of research outcomes and tracking of research impact. The information gathered is used by over 100 funders and research institutes and used to standardise research outcomes collection and to track the impacts of investments into research.

Researchfish support & FAQ's

Impact Acceleration Accounts

Impact from research can be defined “as an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia” - Research Excellence Framework (2011).

We are proud to be working with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on a number of Research Council Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAAs). These are strategic awards provided to research organisations to support knowledge exchange and impact from our research in flexible, responsive and creative ways, including secondments/placements, developing research findings, engagement opportunities/events and relationship development with non-academic organisations from business, civic and third sectors.

The IAAs support our academic community in the development of research to create economic and societal impact through activities that:

For more information, please visit the RIS Sharepoint Site below.

RIS Sharepoint Site
Find out more about our IAAs

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014

We reaffirmed our position as one of the leading research universities in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF).

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Watch videos of our research

Our YouTube videos show the ground-breaking research being carried out at Southampton.

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