Our impact

The University of Southampton is one of the UK’s top research universities, ranking 11th for the volume of its high quality research in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

Our researchers are at the cutting-edge of knowledge, working on solutions to some of today's toughest challenges. While much of our research begins with concepts at a fundamental level, we are passionate about using the findings to make a real impact on the world around us.

Transforming research into answers to real world problems produces business opportunities, enhances quality of life, creates jobs, boosts the economy and helps make our world safer and more rewarding. Our REF success demonstrates that our research has a significant impact on society, industry, Government, and public service.

Chemistry performed exceptionally well, with 94 per cent of our overall submission judged as world-leading or internationally excellent, placing Southampton’s submission for Chemistry in 8th position for research power.

Find out more about our REF 2014 results

Ilika plc

Ilika plc: Driving Global Innovation in Next Generation Materials

Research into sustainable technologies by academics in Chemistry is helping to transform the automotive and energy industries. University of Southampton spin out company Ilika, founded by leading researchers, has established strong links with major manufacturers including Toyota, Shell, Asahi Kasei and NXP. The company uses the ‘clean technologies' of combinatorial chemistry within materials science to create new functional materials with specific and highly desirable properties for use in the next generation of batteries and fuel cells.

Scorpion Primers and the Advance of Medical Diagnostics

Research led by Tom Brown, Professor of Biological Chemistry and his team has been instrumental in making drugs work better. Sophisticated DNA analysis techniques pioneered at Southampton are now being used by the pharmaceutical industry to tailor cancer treatments for individuals to enable the most effective drugs can be used.

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