28 research areas
Ageing and gerontology
Through high quality research, we contribute to a better understanding of the experience of ageing amongst different groups and societies around the world, which will in turn place us in a better strategic position to improve the quality of life of older people.
Archaeology
Our archaeologists play a crucial role in the way we record and present the past, and how we preserve it for the future. We’re ranked 3rd in the UK for archaeology research, and 100% of our research was classified world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
Art, design, media and fashion
The Winchester School of Art focuses its research on the expanding and evolving roles of art, design, and media in current and future societies. Staff, students and organisational partners come together to provide experimental, interdisciplinary research.
Biological sciences
From global warming to life-threatening infections, our research focuses on today's biggest challenges. Working with industry, public sector and other universities, we see science as a way of achieving real-life benefits.
Business
Our aim is to transform business and society for the better. Our researchers work with a global network of industry partners to make a difference, from better use of resources to improving management policy.
Chemistry and chemical engineering
We work across disciplines, and with industry and academic experts globally, to deliver impactful research, from helping clinicians prescribe the most effective cancer treatments to accelerating improvements in solar power.
Economics
We inform policymakers at a national and global level. Our research has influenced UK migration and European Union mergers policies and we're advising government on the behavioural impacts of water usage.
Education
We're changing lives around the world. Our research includes promoting inclusion, enhancing maths education, inspiring teenagers to live healthily and giving a voice to people with learning difficulties.
Electronics and computer science
We have an international reputation for research, with over 550 researchers working across a wide range of subjects. These include digital libraries, artificial intelligence, machine learning and web science. We are a Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security Research and Education.
Engineering
Our research focuses on solutions to real-life problems across a range of industries. From sustainable energy to resilient infrastructure, we're addressing some of the biggest challenges facing modern society.
English
We cover the range of English literary studies, from medieval travel narratives to the African detective novel. In REF 2021, the most recent national research evaluation, our research was ranked joint 8th nationally and in the top 10% of departments in the country. Ninety-five per cent was judged 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'.
Film
We research the links between national, transnational, and global identities in cinema and television, historical approaches to cinema industries and audiences and theoretical questions about audio-visual aesthetics.
Geography and environmental science
Our research addresses climate change, social and health inequalities, sustainable development, conservation of biodiversity, poverty and recession.
Health science
We tackle some of the biggest healthcare issues facing the world. We're improving wellbeing after cancer, enhancing patient safety and dignity, and influencing prescribing legislation.
History
We study how people, institutions and communities have behaved, and how societies have changed, across a wide range of historical periods from ancient to modern and in a variety of geographical settings spanning most of the globe.
Law
Our research spans a range of law areas including the relationship between law, policy and society. Other specialisms include insurance, maritime and commercial law and the legal issues around equality and discrimination.
Mathematical sciences
From developing next generation batteries to informing pension planning, our research helps address scientific, engineering and social challenges. Our academics are leaders in the areas of pure and applied maths, theoretical physics, operational research and statistics.
Medicine
We have an international reputation for making important scientific discoveries in the lab and translating them into successful clinical treatments. Through our links across the University, the NHS and industry we have been able to push the boundaries of medical research and address key healthcare issues.
Modern languages and linguistics
Our research covers French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American languages, with a particular focus on linguistics, literature, society, history, and transnational studies.
Music
We are a centre of excellence for research in music. In the 2021 REF 82% of our research was evaluated as world leading or internationally excellent and our research culture in the top 5% of the country. We collaborate with an array of ensembles, venues, research institutes, media and charities. These include the National Trust, Welsh National Opera, Wigmore Hall, Shooting Star Children's Hospices, Alan Turing Institute, London Sinfonietta, SWR Symphonieorchester and the BBC.
Ocean and earth science
We’re a major European centre for oceanography and marine geoscience. We address key scientific questions to influence policy and practice whether we’re working at the summit of volcanoes or the depths of the ocean. Our interdisciplinary research environment offers excellent centres, groups and facilities.
Philosophy
Philosophers at Southampton work across the breadth of the subject. We have expertise in fields like aesthetics, ethics, epistemology, history of philosophy, language, logic and metaphysics.
Photonics and optoelectronics
Our research covers optical fibres, nanophotonics and metamaterials, and photonics systems, circuits and sensors. We have helped to develop critical technologies including the optical fibres and amplifiers that power the Internet, and the fibre lasers that are used in applications such as medicine, defence, renewable energy and manufacturing.
Physics and astronomy
Our work is centred around astronomy, quantum light and matter, and theoretical particle physics. We're ranked in the top 5 physics and astronomy departments in the Russell Group.
Politics and international relations
We analyse political decisions made in the UK and around the world to understand how they affect people’s sense of place, their movement and their human rights.
Psychology
Our scientific research examines the brain and behaviour in health and disease. We investigate perception and cognition, mental health, self and identity, and health psychology.
Social statistics and demography
We research population change to inform social policy. Our demographers specialise in family and fertility, migration and mobility, and health and mortality. Our statisticians specialise in statistical methodology, including small-area estimation, online survey methodology and population projections.
Sociology, social policy and criminology
We explore topical areas such as work futures, digital technologies and societies, social inequalities and interventions and security, safety and governance.