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  1. Home
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  • Explore Research
  • Research Spotlights

    Spotlight on Research

    • Centre for Urban Wellbeing

      The Centre for Urban Wellbeing brings together academics from across the University of Birmingham to tackle global challenges to community health and wellbeing.

    • Rail decarbonisation

      Decarbonisation is one of two railway grand challenges (along with digitalisation) that requires a strategic, whole-sector approach with government, industry and academia working together. We are leading the way in decarbonising the railway in the UK and across the world.

    • Birmingham Plastics Network: Shaping the Fate and Sustainable Future of Plastics

      The University of Birmingham has established a Birmingham Plastics Network, an interdisciplinary team of more than 40 academics working together to shape the fate and sustainable future of plastics

    • Quantum Technologies

      Developing the use of sensors and clocks in innovative, ground-breaking technologies to change the future landscapes of healthcare, transport, defence, civil engineering and more.

    • Responsible Business

      Academia partnering with business, investigating, developing and co-creating robust and innovative solutions to achieve responsible business success. Building the foundations for a more responsible and sustainable future.

    • Air Pollution

      We are working with partners across the globe to understand how to save lives at risk from poor air quality.

    • Superdiversity

      Challenging established views and policy responses to migration and its impact on societies in a rapidly changing world.

    • Global Ethics

      Birmingham academics work on major issues in international ethics and global justice and train the next generation of students to tackle these issues.

    • Liver Transplantation

      Birmingham has been at the forefront of transplants since the pioneering work of Sir Peter Medawar. Our researchers are continuing his legacy.

    • Explore our Spotlights

  • Our Researchers

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    We explore what it means to be human – in historical and cultural contexts, within ethical and legal norms and through languages and communication.

    Explore all Arts and Law Research
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    From atoms to astronomy, computers to cars and robots to robust materials, our goal is to transform our understanding of the world to make life easier, healthier and more sustainable.

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    Across the breadth of life and environmental sciences, we discover, apply and translate science to forge major advances in human and environmental health.

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    With more than 1,000 academic staff researchers and around £80 million new research funding per year, we are dedicated to performing world-leading research with the ultimate goal of improving human health.

    Explore all Medical and Dental Sciences Research
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    We address the challenges facing society and the economy, from shedding light on the refugee crisis, to character education in schools, through to developing leaders in the NHS.

    Explore all Social Sciences Research
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Research themes

In 'Research themes'

  • Healthcare Technology
  • Research themes
  • Chemical Biology
  • Materials Chemistry
  • PhD opportunities

Research within the school is grouped into three themes. Please follow the links below for more details on each theme and the researchers working within them.

  • Materials Chemistry and Energy 
  • Chemistry for Healthcare Technologies  
  • Chemical Biology and Drug Design 

PhD opportunities and research studentships

Learn more about PhD opportunities and research studentships

Postgraduate Open Day

Learn more about Postgraduate Open Day

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